by Joel Harrison
12. March 2011 14:17
In a recent report, industry experts state that scleral lenses are becoming more and more popular.
Scleral contact lenses are larger than regular contact lenses. Instead of only covering the cornea, these gas permeable lenses also cover part of the sclera (hence the name); in addition, they create a vault over the cornea, which is filled with tears. This is essential for many patients, especially those whose corneas are irregular, cone-shaped (keratoconus) or sensitive due to injury or other causes.
Experts believe that the rise in the popularity of scleral lenses is connected with the continuing improvement in contact lens technology, which includes both design and materials. As a result of these technological advances, scleral lenses are becoming more comfortable and effective in vision correction, which is particularly important to people suffering from uncommon conditions, which are difficult to treat (Sjögren's syndrome, aniridia and others).
Scleral lenses are also used as special effects lenses, but such lenses might sometimes be harmful to the eye and should not be worn for more than 5-6 hours a day.
Subscribe