For some patients, traditional contact lenses do not provide the comfort, stability, or visual clarity they need. At Focal Optometry, we offer scleral lenses in Mira Mesa, San Diego for patients who may have difficulty wearing standard contacts or who have certain corneal and ocular surface conditions.

Why Standard Contact Lenses May Not Work for Everyone

Soft contact lenses work well for many people, but certain eye shapes and conditions can make them difficult to wear. An irregular corneal surface may prevent a standard lens from providing consistently clear vision. Dry eye can also make traditional contacts uncomfortable, especially when lenses begin to feel dry during the day. When conventional lenses are not meeting your needs, we can evaluate whether a specialty option such as scleral lenses may provide a better fit.

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are larger-diameter, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. Instead of resting directly on the cornea, the lens vaults over it and rests on the sclera, or white part of the eye. A reservoir of preservative-free saline fills the space between the lens and cornea. This design creates a smooth optical surface while keeping fluid over the cornea during wear.

Because scleral lenses are designed to remain stable on the eye, they can provide clear, consistent vision for people with irregular corneas while also offering added comfort for certain ocular surface conditions.

Who Can Benefit From Scleral Lenses?

We may recommend scleral lenses for patients in Mira Mesa and throughout San Diego who experience conditions or concerns such as:

Keratoconus or other forms of corneal ectasia
Irregular astigmatism
Moderate to severe dry eye
Corneal scarring or irregularities
Changes to the corneal surface following eye surgery
Difficulty achieving clear or comfortable vision with traditional contact lenses

An eye examination and specialty contact lens evaluation help us determine which option is most appropriate.

The Scleral Lens Fitting Process

Scleral lenses require a more individualized fitting process than standard soft contacts. We begin by evaluating your vision, corneal shape, ocular surface, and overall eye health. Diagnostic lenses and detailed measurements help us determine the appropriate lens size, shape, and prescription.
Once a lens is selected, we evaluate how it clears the cornea, rests on the sclera, and performs on your eye. Adjustments may be necessary to
improve the fit, comfort, and visual quality.

After your lenses are finalized, we provide guidance on proper insertion, removal, cleaning, filling, and daily care. Follow-up visits allow us to check your eye health and make sure the lenses continue to fit and perform as intended.

Personalized Specialty Contact Lens Care in Mira Mesa

At Focal Optometry, we take the time to understand why your current contacts may not be working and identify options that better match your eyes. Scleral lenses can provide another possibility for patients who have struggled with comfort, fluctuating vision, or complex corneal conditions.

If standard contact lenses have not provided the comfort or clear vision you need, schedule an evaluation with Focal Optometry to find out if scleral lenses may be right for you.

Focal Optometry
9460 Mira Mesa Blvd, Suite A
San Diego, CA 92126
Phone: (858) 566-1756