Anyone have experience with scleral contacts?

[tbone_ 14412]

Turns out I have a condition known as keratoconus, which basically means irregular astigmatism, which basically means weird shaped corneas that don’t accept vision correction well. Glasses don’t work at all, toric soft lenses kind of work.

 

Recently had a fitting for a rigid gas permeable lens called a Scleral lens, which is larger and fits on the white part of the eye and not just the cornea like regular contacts.

 

In the fitting with the drs correction machine I could see better than I ever recall.

 

Just curious if anyone has experience with these lenses and any insight on what to expect.

[After irth 1245]

I would love to know more about this, too. 
 

My left eye is completely fucked with keratoconus. 

[wild_turkey 3279]

Scleral lenses are great for keratoconus and other forms of irregular astigmatism. They typically provide better vision and better comfort than a traditional soft contact lens or glasses.

The drawback is that fewer optometrists know how to prescribe them, they sometimes require more visits to get the correct fit and prescription, they can be more expensive, and you have to take better care of them over a longer period of time.

Also, anyone with keratoconus should have at least one exam with a cornea specialist or another ophthalmologist familiar with cornea cross linking. That’s a great surgery that can stabilize the cornea to prevent progression of keratoconus and prevent worsening vision or the need for a cornea transplant the future.

[After irth 1245]

10 hours ago, wild_turkey said:

Scleral lenses are great for keratoconus and other forms of irregular astigmatism. They typically provide better vision and better comfort than a traditional soft contact lens or glasses.

The drawback is that fewer optometrists know how to prescribe them, they sometimes require more visits to get the correct fit and prescription, they can be more expensive, and you have to take better care of them over a longer period of time.

Also, anyone with keratoconus should have at least one exam with a cornea specialist or another ophthalmologist familiar with cornea cross linking. That’s a great surgery that can stabilize the cornea to prevent progression of keratoconus and prevent worsening vision or the need for a cornea transplant the future.

Nice response. Truly appreciated. 
 

Are you in the industry?

[After irth 1245]

Been looking around on my own for a cornea specialist relatively close to me (I’m in Lufkin). 
 

Found Dr. Singh in the Woodlands at Eye Specialists of Texas. 
 

Also found Dr. Verstringhe in Conroe / Woodlands / Tomball with Houston Eye Associates. 
 

Anyone have any experience with either of those places?

[tbone_ 14412]

I’m using a corneal specialist at Mayo Clinic out here in AZ that does all the things wild turkey pointed out.

[wild_turkey 3279]

Are you in the industry?

I’m an ophthalmologist. I don’t personally do scleral contact lenses or corneal cross linking, but I work with docs who do both.

My sister had to get a cornea transplant due to keratoconus (this was before cross linking was FDA approved in the US) so that part also hits close to home.

Keratoconus is often a progressive disease so I encourage anyone with that diagnosis to see someone familiar with cross linking to see if they are a candidate. It helps prevent progression so don’t wait until your vision is already horrible.

[After irth 1245]

16 hours ago, wild_turkey said:

 

I’m an ophthalmologist. I don’t personally do scleral contact lenses or corneal cross linking, but I work with docs who do both.

My sister had to get a cornea transplant due to keratoconus (this was before cross linking was FDA approved in the US) so that part also hits close to home.

Keratoconus is often a progressive disease so I encourage anyone with that diagnosis to see someone familiar with cross linking to see if they are a candidate. It helps prevent progression so don’t wait until your vision is already horrible.

 

Thanks so much for the further info.  I will inquire further into the two guys I mentioned above...or maybe just go get two opinions on my condition and weigh my options.  

My left eye started to go wonky in '97.  Took a good 6 years of so before soft contacts were just damn uncomfortable.  Tried the hard contacts for a while, but the left one would just spin on my cornea's "peak" and jettison itself after a few blinks (also quite uncomfortable.  I discussed corrective procedures with my ophthalmologist throughout the early 'aughts.  He was very familiar with Keratoconus, but, like you, did not treat it himself.  He seemed to think I was lucky that I only had one eye with that condition.  He also seemed to think that, unless my eyesight was substantially altering my quality of life, not too worry too much because of the possible drawbacks of any surgical procedure.

Thus, my left eye is fucked, but I still get by.  After 14 years of that, however, I was hoping to see if some relief might be available.  Never heard of corneal cross linking before this thread, but...I will damn sure look into it.

Thanks again!

[tbone_ 14412]

Ok got the sclerals in. Holy shit are they fantastic. Comfortable and I can see so much better.

Takes a bit to learn to get them in and out. And left eye probably needs a correction adjustment. But I hear it usually takes a couple iterations to get them right.

Eye dr here at Mayo is doing them. Very easy process so far.

[After irth 1245]

Worth it?

What’s the ballpark expense on these?

[tbone_ 14412]

I think $2-3k. Supposed to last 2-3 years.

So far, absolutely for me. Not even close.

[After irth 1245]

1 hour ago, tbone_ said:

I think $2-3k. Supposed to last 2-3 years.

So far, absolutely for me. Not even close.

I am stoked for these.  Thanks for the update!