When vision is distorted, it’s not just “a little blurry.” It can feel like the world is constantly shifting—lights flare at night, text doubles or shadows, and your eyes never fully relax. If glasses or standard contacts haven’t delivered steady clarity, scleral lenses may be the option that finally feels made for the way your eyes actually see.
Scleral lenses are larger, breathable (gas-permeable) specialty contact lenses designed to vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye. That unique design creates a smooth optical surface for clearer vision and can also hold a layer of fluid against the eye, which many patients find more comfortable—especially during long days.
For patients with keratoconus, this design matters for a simple reason: keratoconus changes the shape of the cornea, and an uneven cornea can distort light before it ever reaches the retina. Instead of relying on the cornea to be smooth, scleral lenses create a new, stable “front window” that your eye can focus through.
What Scleral Lenses Can Help With
Scleral lenses are often recommended for people who need more stability, comfort, and clarity than traditional options can provide. They are a strong alternative for individuals with severely dry eyes, keratoconus, high astigmatism, and other corneal issues.
Benefits many patients appreciate include:
- Sharper vision: Because of their size, scleral lenses tend to be more stable and less likely to shift during blinking, which supports clearer, steadier vision.
- Longer wear: Scleral lenses are made from a durable gas-permeable material and can often last one to two years with proper care.
- Extra moisture: The fluid reservoir helps keep the eye hydrated throughout the day, which can bring relief for severely dry eyes.
- Custom-made: Scleral lenses are designed for your unique eye shape, which is critical when the cornea is irregular.
Keratoconus Deserves A Different Approach
Keratoconus can make vision feel warped, shadowed, or inconsistent—sometimes even with an updated glasses prescription. Soft contacts may conform to the cornea’s shape, so they may not fully correct distortion. Smaller rigid lenses can improve vision for some patients, but comfort and lens movement can become a real barrier.
Because scleral lenses vault the cornea instead of sitting directly on it, they can provide a smoother optical surface and a more stable fit. Many patients notice that this stability helps day-to-day tasks feel easier—driving, reading, computer use, and everything in between.
What To Expect During A Scleral Lens Consultation
A scleral lens fitting is more detailed than a standard contact lens exam because precision matters. The goal is stable vision, comfort, and a healthy fit that supports long-term wear.
A typical process includes:
- A detailed conversation about symptoms, daily demands, and previous lens experiences
- Advanced measurements to map your eye shape and guide a custom design
- A trial lens evaluation (in many cases) to assess vault, alignment, and initial vision results
- Custom lens ordering and refinements as needed
- Training for insertion, removal, cleaning, and follow-up visits
This is also where safety becomes easy to understand: the best outcomes come from a correct fit and a clear care routine. As Dr. Ray C. Whetstone explains; “If you follow the instructions and we make sure the lenses fit properly, the risks are extremely minimal.”
What that means for you is practical: you will be taught exactly how to clean and handle your lenses, and your follow-up visits are there to confirm the lens continues to vault correctly and keep your eyes healthy.
Schedule Your Scleral Lens Consultation In Naples
Clearer vision is not only about reading smaller letters—it’s about feeling confident and comfortable in everyday life. When scleral lenses are designed and fit properly, they can deliver the stability many keratoconus patients have been missing. For people who have felt stuck between poor clarity and uncomfortable contacts, this can be a meaningful turning point.
Scleral lenses are also a long-term relationship, not a quick fix, and that is a good thing. The fitting process is designed to fine-tune comfort, protect eye health, and help you build a routine that feels manageable. To find out whether scleral lenses are right for you, schedule a consultation with Whetstone Eye Care.
Scleral Lens Q&A with Dr. Ray C. Whetstone
Who Typically Benefits Most From Scleral Lenses?
- People with keratoconus, high astigmatism, irregular corneas, and severe dry eye symptoms often benefit most—especially when glasses or standard contacts do not provide stable clarity.
Do Scleral Lenses Treat Keratoconus Permanently?
- They correct vision while you are wearing them. They do not cure keratoconus, but they can significantly improve functional clarity and comfort day to day.
How Long Do Scleral Lenses Last?
- With proper care, many scleral lenses can last one to two years. Replacement timing depends on the condition of the lens surface, deposits, and overall wear.
Is It Hard To Learn How To Use Scleral Lenses?
- There is a learning curve at first, but most patients become comfortable with the routine after training and a bit of practice.