Scleral lenses general question

[ScottishDave]

I am considering trying to get Scleral lenses for my lasik enduced dry eye as a last resort. However I have been developing lots of red veins (due to the dryness) on my sclera in both eyes over the last few months and wonder what putting Scleral lenses on top of these will do.

Will the veins remain as is or will the scleral lenses moisten these parts and reduce the redness at all or will the red veins get worse?

Has anyone had experience of their eyes being red prior to getting scleral lenses. If so what was the outcome?

Many thanks.

[Hopeful2]

Hi there,

This is a really good question. I'm hoping that someone will answer it. I'm considering sclearals for lasik dry eye and to improve some vision issues (GASH, poor low vision, eye strain).

[Jade]

I have the red veins that I notice close up in my sclera. I've used a hard scleral lens called Jupiter with the saline reservoir to try to heal a recurrent, painful epithelial defect in my right eye. It was fitted to me by an optometrist who trained at Boston Foundation for Sight. My epithelial defect didn't heal under the lens, but the lens itself was very comfortable. A few years before that another optometrist tried to fit me with a Jupiter lens and it was a complete failure. One thing, though, I used Azasite for a couple years prior, which improved my meibomian gland function enough that my eyes weren't extremely dry-feeling when I started using the lens. At first I wondered if the edges would bother me, but they didn't. I was fitted at first with a lens that was extremely uncomfortable and on the second lens I was comfortable as soon as it was put in. I think it's definitely worth trying. Also, I think the sclera is much less sensitive to pain than the cornea, even though the red veins look painful.

[Hopeful2]

Hi Diana,
Sorry to hear the scleral lens did not help you with the epithelial defect. Can I ask what did heal it?

I am considering getting a scleral lens from either Boston or Dr. Gemoules in Texas. I'm glad to hear that the lens itself was comfortable.

[Jade]

Hi, Bella,
It's a recurrent corneal erosion on my upper radial keratotomy scars. It's a constant injury and healing cycle and very painful. I tried several bandage lenses which gave some comfort at times but didn't cause them to heal completely. Lens removal was also traumatic to the spots I was trying to heal. Right now I'm using some newer strong cortisone eye drops. I try everything because the pain is so bad.
That sounds like a long way to travel for the lens and the follow-up. Have you checked out the university medical centers in your area? I found mine originally by checking out all the opthalmology sections of their websites. I was lucky that the med center I go to got a new optometrist who was trained to fit lenses at the Boston Foundation for Sight. I went with the Jupiter lens because it was $300 and they let me submit it to insurance and I paid $33. If I had gone with the PROSE lens they wanted $3000 before any insurance filing and it was non-refundable. Are you getting a lens for dryness?

[Hopeful2]

Hi Diana,

Your corneal erosion sounds so painful and I'm very sorry that you are going through this. Would this erosion be the result of having had lasik? I hate to think what might be waiting for me down the road. I am just about 4 months post lasik and have found it to be a very long 4 months.

The local university eye centre does fit sclerals, but they fit from a trial kit. I am concerned that the fit will not be precise and that I will not be able to wear them due to discomfort. I guess I am primarily getting the lens to correct vision problems after lasik, that glasses can not correct. I also have dry eye, so I don't imagine I could wear a regular gas permeable lens, and definetely not a soft lens. I must admit I look forward to the idea of having my cornea protected by a sclearal lens.

[Jade]

Hi, Bella,
Yes, the recurrent erosions are very painful. They're on my 1993 RK scars which are radial. I can feel them at 10 o'clock, 12 o'clock, etc. I hope it wouldn't be a long term effect from lasik. Scars can change a long time after they're healed. RK scars have epithelium imbedded in them.
It's hard to say who will fit you well with a scleral lens until you try them. I was fitted at the same med center as a few years ago, different optometrist, and it made all the difference. Follow-up is something I did a lot while I was going through the process, so that's why I was hoping you could find someone nearby you.
I had a slight prescription put in my lens to help me a little better close up and I could see well, near and far.
Long term Azasite each night at bedtime helped my dryness a lot.

[fiddle]

Hello Diana,
I wanted to ask what you mean by RK scars? I have corneal scars in both my eyes post lasik and you said that scars can change over time. What does this mean in terms of sight and dry eyes do you know? I hope that my scars will get better over time, but most of the docs I've seen this year say they are what they are.
fiddle