We create bespoke scleral lenses matched to your unique scleral shape

We create bespoke scleral lenses matched to your unique scleral shape

We create bespoke scleral lenses matched to your unique scleral shape

What are Scleral Lenses ?

What are Scleral Lenses ?

Scleral lenses are contact lenses that rest and align with the sclera and do not touch the cornea. Because lenses do not touch the cornea, they do not rub or irritate the cornea. Furthermore, smaller corneal (or rigid gas permeable lenses) must align with the cornea in order to be comfortable. As the cornea is an irregular shape in keratoconus, this is makes it particularly difficult to achieve good comfort in more advanced cases. Modern scleral lenses are made from a breathable gas permeable material.

The main purpose of scleral lenses is to improve vision in Keratoconus or other conditions affecting the cornea that is not correctable with spectacles or soft contact lenses.

Conventional Fitting

Conventional Fitting

The vast majority of scleral lenses are fitted by trial and error. This involves selecting lenses from a pre-made bank of lenses, placing them on the eye and interpreting the fit. The practitioner then removes the lens and tries another until he or she feels the lens aligns with the sclera.

The drawback of this approach is that scleral lenses are fitted without ever knowing the precise shape of the sclera. When one considers the fact that scleral shape is highly variable in the population and that the sclera is quite asymmetric within an individual, it is not surprising that scleral lens fitting takes time and often results in patients complaining of discomfort, redness and lens fogging.

Digital Freeform Fitting

Digital Freeform Fitting

Step 1

Measure

350,000 points on the eye measured to determine the shape of cornea and sclera. In addition, other tests such as anterior OCT, specular microscopy and a comprehensive assessment of the front of your eyes will be performed.

Step 2

Design

Data from profilometry is sent to a 3D lens design program. The program allows Dr. Dave to match the curves on the lens to the sclera. As more than 65% of eyes have an irregular shape, Freeform lenses are best way to accurately match the eye.

Step 3

Refine

Your optical prescription will be determined so that this can be added to the ordered scleral lens. In most cases this will correct vision, however, refinements can still be made afterwards.

Step 4

Order

Data from the 3D design of your scleral lens will be automatically sent to the laboratory computer where the lens manufacturing process will begin.

Why are Freeform Sclerals Different ?

Why are Freeform Sclerals Different?

1. Digital vs Trial Lens Fitting

Measuring scleral shape allows us to align the lens precisely with the scleral.  This is crucial to achieve better vision, better comfort and less fogging.

Conventional scleral lenses involves fitting the lens by trial and error without knowing anything about the shape of the sclera.

2. Every Freeform Lens is Unique

Once we’ve measured the shape of the sclera, we send hundreds of thousands of data points to a 3D design software. We can then tailor individual portions of the lens to fit the shape of your eye.

Conventional scleral lenses are not customised because the scleral shape is unknown.

3. Better Vision

Using the iTrace we are able to simulate what you see with the lenses in place.  Sometimes we may need to manipulate the position of the lens or change curves on the lens in order to improve vision.

With conventional lenses, the clinician fits what they feel is the best fit and then simply calculate the optical prescription to place within the lens.  This can frequently result in sub-optimal vision.

Doubling with first lens
standard scleralfreeform scleral