Scleral lenses are large-diameter rigid gas-permeable contact lenses that vault completely over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera). Because they don't touch the cornea, they are life-changing for patients with conditions that make conventional contact lenses impossible to wear comfortably.
The space between the lens and the cornea is filled with saline solution, providing continuous lubrication and a smooth, regular optical surface — delivering exceptional clarity even for highly irregular corneas.
Keratoconus causes the cornea to progressively thin and bulge into a cone shape, making conventional lenses unwearable. Scleral lenses vault over the irregular surface and restore excellent vision.
The fluid reservoir in a scleral lens bathes the cornea throughout the day, providing continuous moisture. Patients with severe dry eye who cannot wear soft lenses often thrive with sclerals.
Corneas altered by RK, LASIK, or corneal transplants often have irregular surfaces that make glasses or soft lenses ineffective. Scleral lenses can restore sharp vision in these cases.
Corneal scarring, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and other conditions that damage the corneal surface often respond well to scleral lens therapy.
Scleral lens fitting is a highly specialized process that requires expertise and patience. At Avalon Eye Care in Vaughan, our optometrists take detailed corneal measurements and trial multiple lens parameters to achieve the optimal fit — the lens must vault the cornea appropriately, align with the conjunctiva, and provide clear vision.
Multiple fitting visits are typically required. We will guide you through insertion and removal techniques and provide comprehensive aftercare. Call us at 905-856-3937 to discuss whether scleral lenses are right for you.
Most patients find scleral lenses comfortable once they adapt to insertion and removal. Because the lens does not touch the sensitive cornea, many patients with keratoconus or severe dry eye find scleral lenses significantly more comfortable than any other lens type they have tried. There is a learning curve with insertion and removal, but our team guides you through every step.
Scleral lenses involve a specialized fitting process with multiple appointments and custom-manufactured lenses. The total cost varies depending on the complexity of your prescription and number of fitting visits required. Contact Avalon Eye Care at 905-856-3937 for current pricing. Some extended health plans provide coverage for specialty contact lenses.
Scleral lenses are one of the most effective vision correction options for keratoconus. They vault over the irregular cone-shaped cornea and create a smooth, uniform refracting surface, dramatically improving vision clarity. They do not stop keratoconus from progressing, but they can provide excellent vision in mild to moderate cases. For progressive keratoconus, corneal cross-linking may be recommended — your Avalon Eye Care optometrist can provide a referral.
Regular soft and rigid gas-permeable contact lenses sit on and move with the cornea. Scleral lenses are much larger — typically 15-24mm in diameter — and vault completely over the cornea, resting entirely on the sclera (white of the eye). This design makes them stable, comfortable for irregular corneas, and therapeutically hydrating for dry eye patients.
Vaughan & Woodbridge. OHIP & direct insurance billing.
Book Online 905-856-3937200 Whitmore Rd, Unit #15
Woodbridge (Vaughan), ON L4L 7K4
| Mon/Wed/Fri | 10AM–6PM |
| Tue/Thu | 11AM–7PM |
| Saturday | 10AM–4PM |