Description

Scleral contact lenses are the oldest form of contact lens. As early as 1888 Fick described their use for keratoconus, aphakia and prosthesis. These lenses have mainly been superseded by corneal and hydrogel lenses, and yet there is still a place in the modern contact lens practice, when neither of the other lenses will fulfil the patients requirements for comfort and stable vision.

In some ways scleral lenses offer the best of both worlds as they are stable and able to neutralise corneal irregularities similarly to corneal lenses. The large overall size means that virtually any corneal or scleral topography can be accommodated and the power range can be from 40.00D to -40.00D. These lenses have tended to be fitted through the Hospital Eye Service not only because the ideal scleral lens patient tends to already be attending as an ophthalmic hospital patient but also because scleral lenses are thought to be time consuming and challenging to fit in the general practice situation.