Welcome To Scleral Lens Center At Complete Eye Care, Helping Patients From All Over Charlotte, North Carolina

Are you living with Keratoconus? Do you find it difficult to see clearly, even with corrective lenses? We understand how frustrating and overwhelming this can be, which is why we offer scleral lenses for Keratoconus.

Scleral lenses are a revolutionary solution to Keratoconus. They are designed to vault over the cornea, creating a tear-filled vault between the lens and the cornea. This not only improves vision, but it also provides comfort for those with Keratoconus.

What Is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder that affects the shape of the cornea, which is the clear outer layer at the front of the eye. In Keratoconus, the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. This can cause visual distortions, such as blurred or double vision, and it can also lead to sensitivity to light and glare.

Keratoconus typically affects both eyes, but the severity can vary between each eye. It often starts in the teenage years or early twenties and can progress slowly over several years. While the exact cause of Keratoconus is unknown, it is believed to be influenced by genetics and environmental factors.

Fortunately, there are treatments available to help manage Keratoconus, such as corrective lenses, collagen cross-linking, and scleral lenses. It’s important to consult with an eye care professional if you are experiencing any changes in your vision or eye discomfort, as early detection and treatment can help prevent further vision loss.

What Causes Keratoconus?

The exact cause of Keratoconus is still unknown, but certain factors can increase a person’s risk of developing the condition. These include:

Genetics: Keratoconus tends to run in families, and research has identified several genes that may be associated with the development of the condition.
Age: Keratoconus typically begins during adolescence or early adulthood, and progresses slowly over several years.
Gender: Keratoconus is slightly more common in males than females.
Eye Rubbing: Rubbing your eyes excessively or vigorously can increase your risk of developing Keratoconus.
Other conditions: Keratoconus has been associated with other conditions, such as Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and certain connective tissue disorders.

Common Symptoms of Keratoconus

Blurred or distorted vision: This is often the first sign of Keratoconus. Vision may appear distorted or blurry, even with corrective lenses.
Sensitivity to light: Keratoconus can cause sensitivity to light, which can lead to discomfort or pain in bright environments.
Glare: Glare or halos around lights, particularly at night, can be a symptom of Keratoconus.
Difficulty with night vision: Many people with Keratoconus report difficulty seeing at night, particularly when driving.
Eye strain and fatigue: The visual distortions caused by Keratoconus can lead to eye strain and fatigue, particularly after prolonged reading or computer use.
Changes in prescription: Keratoconus can cause changes in the shape of the cornea, which can result in frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.

How is Keratoconus Diagnosed?

Keratoconus is typically diagnosed by performing a number of eye exams and tests to determine the size and shape of your cornea. Dr. Barbara Marcussen will begin by conducting a comprehensive eye exam to check for overall eye health and visual acuity. The doctor will speak with you about your medical and family history, including any existing symptoms or complaints you may have about your vision and how it affects your everyday activities.

The surface of your cornea may be measured with a special computerized system. This process, known as corneal mapping (or corneal tomography), is exactly what it sounds like it maps your cornea so that Dr. Barbara Marcussen can obtain exact measurements and details about its shape and size. The curvature is measured with a keratometer, a device containing prisms that guarantee the accuracy and stability of the corneal images.

At Scleral Lens Center At Complete Eye Care, we have the most advanced equipment and modern tools to ensure that our patients receive the highest standard of care that they deserve. If you have questions during the exam or would like to discuss your diagnosis in detail, just ask – we’re here for you.

How Does Collagen Cross-Linking Help My Keratoconus?

Collagen Cross-Linking, or CXL, is considered an ideal treatment for Keratoconus because the procedure flattens and strengthens the cornea, helping to reverse its misshapen form back to its correct one. Once the cornea returns to its original dome-like shape, light can once again hit the pupil correctly, providing improved vision.

CXL is most effective in patients who have been recently diagnosed with Keratoconus; the more the condition advances, the more difficult it is to manage. While CLX does not reverse the corneal shape completely, it can slow down the Keratoconus progression. In most cases, the patient will still need some type of vision correction assistance, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Benefits of Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Here are just a few of the benefits of scleral lenses for Keratoconus:

Improved visual acuity: Scleral lenses provide clear, crisp vision, even for those with advanced Keratoconus.
Increased comfort: The tear-filled vault created by the lens helps to reduce irritation and discomfort associated with Keratoconus.
Customized fit: Our team of optometrists will take precise measurements to ensure a perfect fit for each patient.
Long-lasting: Scleral lenses are durable and can last for several years with proper care.

What are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are large-diameter contact lenses that rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera) rather than the cornea. They are designed to vault over the cornea and create a tear-filled reservoir between the lens and the cornea. This can help to improve vision and reduce discomfort associated with certain eye conditions, such as Keratoconus.

Scleral lenses are made from rigid gas-permeable materials, which provide excellent optics and durability. They are larger than traditional contact lenses, which allows them to cover the entire cornea and provide a more stable fit. Scleral lenses are custom-fit to each patient’s eye shape and size, which helps to ensure maximum comfort and vision correction.

Scleral lenses can be used to treat a variety of eye conditions, including Keratoconus, corneal irregularities, dry eye syndrome, and post-surgical complications. They offer several benefits over traditional contact lenses, including improved vision, increased comfort, and longer wear time.

Scleral Lenses For Children

Scleral lenses can be a beneficial treatment option for children with certain eye conditions, such as Keratoconus or other corneal irregularities. They can provide improved vision, reduce discomfort, and improve overall quality of life.

Does my insurance cover Scleral Lenses?

Most health insurance plans cover healthcare services that are either routine or deemed medically necessary. However, each insurance company has a slightly different version of what is considered medically necessary versus something that is an elective procedure or benefit.

In the case of scleral lenses, every insurance company is different. Some cover the examination and custom fitting, but not the actual lenses. Other providers cover a portion of the cost, while another may cover 100% of the cost, but only if other treatment methods have been completely exhausted.

It’s important that you check with your specific insurance provider to find out the particular details of your scleral lens coverage.

How Will Scleral Lenses Help My Keratoconus?

Improved vision: Scleral lenses can help to correct the irregular corneal shape that is associated with Keratoconus, which can improve visual acuity and reduce the distortion and blurriness that many people with Keratoconus experience.
Increased comfort: Scleral lenses are designed to rest on the sclera, which is less sensitive than the cornea. This can provide increased comfort for people with Keratoconus who may experience discomfort or pain with other types of contact lenses.
Reduced dryness: Because scleral lenses create a tear-filled reservoir between the lens and the cornea, they can help to reduce dryness and irritation associated with Keratoconus.
Long-term stability: Scleral lenses are highly durable and stable, which can help to maintain the corneal shape over time and slow the progression of Keratoconus.
Customized fit: Scleral lenses are custom-fit to each patient’s eye shape and size, which helps to ensure maximum comfort and vision correction.

Scleral lenses can be an excellent treatment option for people with Keratoconus. They offer a range of benefits over traditional contact lenses, including improved vision, increased comfort, and reduced dryness.

Should I See An Eye Doctor That Specializes In Hard To Fit Contacts?

Once you’ve decided to get scleral lenses for your Keratoconus, be sure that the eye doctor you visit has the knowledge and experience required to correctly fit you for the lenses. Not every eye doctor does. That’s because scleral lenses require precise customization, and every patient’s Keratoconus case is different with varying degrees of severity.

Dr. Barbara Marcussen has this expertise, and the entire staff at Scleral Lens Center At Complete Eye Care will ensure that you receive the top quality eye care and custom-made scleral lenses that will help improve your Keratoconus condition, and ultimately, your quality of life.

If you have Keratoconus or another complex vision condition and are struggling with your contact lenses, it’s important to seek out specialized care from a hard-to-fit contact lens specialist.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how scleral lenses or other specialty contact lenses can help improve your vision and overall quality of life.

Don’t let your vision condition hold you back – take the first step towards clear, comfortable vision today.