circle of injection while wearing lenses

[ctnyfl]

Looking through all the posts of this board and the archived posts of the closed sclerals board I haven't read of anyone describing the problem I've have with my sclerals.

I've been trying these lens fitted by my optometrist, Jennifer Hill in Altamonte Springs, FL, for about a year now. My history is of Sjogrens Syndrome the last five years (preceded by two years by rheumatoid arthritis) which has been progressive. My Schirmers test now shows 1 to 2 mm moisture on the paper even after all four of the puncta having been cauterized. With this 17mm set of lenses as with the previous 16.5mm and 14mm sets, I develop a very prominent perfect circle of injection just inside of the lens, between the pupil all the way to the inner edge of the lens. It is very noticeable to anyone within 6 feet. After removing them the injection fades away over maybe 30 to 60 minutes, but leaves all of the sclera moderately injected over all the eye. Its the same for right and left sides. Even though they help with the eye pain I'm hesitant to wear them because of the injection which I'm afraid will become even worse or even permanent.
The optomotrist has no idea why this is happening and doesn't know who to refer me to. I want to go to one of Boston Sight offices eventually but would desperately like to know something sooner rather than later.

Has anyone here heard of this issue?

Derek

[Hokucat]

Hi Derek. Sounds like you are referring to the indentation/redness on your sclera from the lenses? If so, that's the first thing my Boston PROSE doctor checks every time I see her. It's common to have some, but seeing it from 6 feet away while wearing your lenses sounds like the fit is not optimal, whether a diameter and/or a curvature issue. Mines are 18mm.

I too have dry eyes likely from Sjogrens. During my worst years, my Schirmers used to be anywhere from 0-2, but I personally never had an excessive indentation during that time, or ever. Sometimes I have a little redness, but only I can see it when I look really close up in the mirror.

Fitting sclerals is becoming more commonplace by local optometrists, however the training and experience in this area can determine how well it fits and the comfort level. Fitting PROSE scleral lenses is all my Boston PROSE doctor does all day, that is her specialty. Given your situation and the general optometrist who fit you cannot help, I think you are right to want to see a Boston PROSE doctor, because they are truly scleral specialists and likely can spot the problem right away. Or if you cannot, maybe trying seeing one of the doctors in Florida identified on this website (Rebecca sent out in a recent newsletter) who has shown proficiency in evaluating and fitting sclehrals:

http://www.sclerallens.org/scleral-fitters

I'm glad at least the sclerals help with the eye pain. The excessive indentation/redness issue should be resolvable by a scleral specialist.