Berkeley Eye Center - Houston LASIK and Eye Care

Berkeley Eye Center - Houston LASIK and Eye Care

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Life-Changing Vision & Comfort with Custom Scleral Lenses

Expert Scleral Lens Fitting in Houston.  Trusted by Texans for Over 60 Years.

  • The Gold Standard for Keratoconus & Severe Dry Eye
  • Custom-Fitted with Advanced Corneal Mapping Technology
  • Experienced Specialty Contact Lens Specialists
Schedule Your Scleral Lens Consultation Learn About Keratoconus Treatment

What You Need to Know About Scleral Lenses in Houston

Have you been told you “can’t wear” contact lenses? Do you struggle with keratoconus, severe dry eye, or a history of corneal surgery? Scleral lenses are a revolutionary, custom-designed solution that provides better vision correction and comfort than standard contacts or glasses. At Berkeley Eye Center, our specialty contact lens experts are here to help you finally achieve the clear, comfortable vision you deserve.

  • Scleral lenses are large-diameter rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses that vault over the entire cornea and rest on the white of the eye (sclera)
  • They create a fluid-filled reservoir between the lens and cornea, providing all-day hydration for severe dry eye
  • Scleral lenses are the gold standard treatment for Keratoconus, post-surgical corneas, and irregular astigmatism
  • They often provide better vision than glasses, standard contacts, or even some surgical options
  • With proper care, scleral lenses typically last 1-2 years

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What Are Scleral Lenses and How Do They Work?

Scleral lenses are large-diameter rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses that are custom-designed to hold their shape on the eye. While traditional RGP lenses are 9-10mm in diameter and sit directly on the cornea, scleral lenses are much larger — ranging from 14-24mm in diameter — and vault completely over the cornea to rest on the sclera (the white part of your eye).

Unlike traditional soft or hard contact lenses that sit on the sensitive cornea, scleral lenses gently arch over the entire corneal surface without touching it. Because the sclera has far fewer nerve endings than the cornea, these lenses are typically extremely comfortable, even for patients who are highly sensitive to standard contacts.

scleral lens

How Scleral Lenses Compare to Other Contact Lenses

Feature

Scleral Lenses

Traditional RGP Lenses

Soft Contact Lenses

Size

Large (14-24mm diameter)

Small (9-10mm diameter)

Medium (14mm diameter)

Where They Rest

On the sclera (white of eye)

On the cornea

On the cornea

Vault Over Cornea?

Yes — creates fluid reservoir

No — sits on corneal surface

No — drapes over cornea

Best For

Keratoconus, severe dry eye, irregular corneas

Mild astigmatism, some corneal irregularities

Normal corneas, low to moderate prescriptions

Comfort

Extremely comfortable (fewer nerve endings on sclera)

Initial adaptation period required

Generally comfortable

Vision Quality

Superior for irregular corneas

Crisp vision for astigmatism

Good for standard prescriptions

Lifespan

1-2 years

1-2 years

Daily to monthly replacement
scleral lenses near me Houston

The “Liquid Reservoir” Advantage

The unique vaulting design of a scleral lens creates a tiny gap between the back of the lens and the surface of your cornea. Before inserting the lens, you fill this bowl-like space with a sterile, soothing saline solution.

Once inserted, this creates a chamber of tears that stays adhered to the ocular surface all day long. This liquid reservoir does two incredible things:

  • Provides Constant Hydration: It continuously bathes the eye in soothing moisture, providing immense relief for sore, severely dry eyes.
  • Acts as a “New” Cornea: The liquid fills in any bumps, scars, or irregularities on your natural cornea, creating a perfectly smooth, regular optical surface for light to pass through. This is why scleral lenses can provide incredibly sharp, crisp vision that glasses and standard contacts simply cannot match.

Who Needs Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are not just another vision correction option; they are a transformative medical device for patients with specific, often complex, eye care needs. Our doctors highly recommend them for two main categories of patients:

1. Patients with Irregular Corneas & High Astigmatism

If the surface of your eye is misshapen due to disease, trauma, or previous surgeries, glasses and soft contacts will sit unevenly and fail to focus light properly. Scleral lenses bypass this irregular surface entirely. They may be the best solution for:

  • Keratoconus: A progressive eye disease where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape. Keratoconus is not the same as regular astigmatism — while both cause blurry vision, Keratoconus is a progressive corneal disease that worsens over time, whereas regular astigmatism is simply an irregularly shaped eye that remains stable.  Learn more about our comprehensive Keratoconus treatment options, including corneal cross-linking.
  • Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD): A condition similar to keratoconus causing lower corneal thinning.
  • Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty (Corneal Transplant): Patients who have undergone corneal transplant surgery (also called penetrating keratoplasty or PKP) often develop irregular astigmatism that cannot be corrected with glasses. Scleral lenses vault over the transplanted tissue, providing clear vision that would otherwise be impossible.
  • Post-Radial Keratotomy (RK): Patients who had older refractive surgeries resulting in scarring.
  • Post-LASIK Ectasia: A rare complication where the cornea weakens after LASIK.
  • Corneal Scarring: Due to prior eye infections or trauma (such as an open globe injury).
  • Salzmann Nodular Degeneration: Nodules forming on the corneal surface.

2. Patients with Severe Dry Eye & Ocular Surface Disease

For patients whose eyes do not produce enough tears, or whose tears evaporate too quickly, the constant friction of blinking can be agonizing. The saline reservoir of a scleral lens protects the eye from the environment and the eyelids, offering profound relief for conditions including:

  • Severe Dry Eye Syndrome
  • Evaporative Dry Eye / Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
  • Sjogren’s Syndrome: An autoimmune disease causing extreme dryness.
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • Neurotrophic Corneas
  • Exposure Keratitis: Often associated with eyelid conditions where the eye cannot close fully, such as Bell’s Palsy.

Who Might NOT Be a Good Candidate?

While scleral lenses are transformative for many patients, they may not be ideal if you:

  • Have very active or untreated ocular surface infections
  • Are unable to handle lens insertion and removal (requires manual dexterity)
  • Have severe eyelid abnormalities that prevent proper lens placement
  • Prefer the convenience of daily disposable soft lenses and have a cornea that tolerates them well

Scleral lenses are one type of specialty contact lens. View our full range of specialty contact lens options. Your eye doctor will perform a thorough evaluation to determine if scleral lenses are the right solution for your specific situation.

The Scleral Lens Fitting Process at Berkeley Eye Center

Because every eye is unique, fitting a scleral lens is a highly customized, medical process.

Our specialty contact lens experts use advanced digital imaging (corneal topography) to create a detailed map of your eye’s surface. We use this map to select trial lenses, evaluating the fit and the clearance over your cornea down to the micron. It may take a few visits and adjustments to perfect your custom lens, but the resulting comfort and visual clarity are life-changing.

Note: Scleral lenses are also available in multifocal designs to provide functional distance, intermediate, and near vision for patients with presbyopia!

contacts for severe dry eye

Understanding the Cost & Process for Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are a significant investment because they require advanced technology, precise custom fitting, and specialized expertise. Because each lens is custom-designed for your unique eyes, a consultation is necessary to determine the best lens design and the associated costs for your specific case.

Our patient-focused process includes:

  • Initial Consultation & Evaluation: The journey begins with a comprehensive eye exam and advanced corneal mapping (topography). During this visit, we will discuss your lens options and determine the best path forward for your vision needs.
  • The Custom Fitting Process: After the initial consultation, our team will have you back to complete the full fitting process. This involves multiple appointments to patiently fine-tune the lens design for optimal vision, fit, and comfort, and includes the final custom-ordered lenses and all necessary follow-up care.
  • Insurance Coverage: When prescribed for a medically necessary condition like Keratoconus, severe dry eye, or other corneal diseases, many medical insurance plans may cover all or a portion of the cost associated with scleral lenses. Our team is experienced in providing the necessary documentation to help you maximize your benefits.
  • Financing Options: We offer payment plans through CareCredit® and Alphaeon® Credit to make treatment affordable.

Important perspective: While the investment is higher than for standard contacts, scleral lenses often provide a quality of vision that glasses or soft lenses simply cannot achieve, and they are designed to last significantly longer than daily or monthly disposable lenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keratoconus

Because of their larger size and the need to keep the saline liquid inside the bowl of the lens during insertion, applying a scleral lens is different from a standard soft lens. You will use a specialized plunger or insertion tool. While it looks intimidating at first, our team will provide one-on-one training. Most patients master the technique very quickly!

Because they are made from durable, rigid gas-permeable materials, scleral lenses typically last much longer than soft lenses. With proper daily cleaning and handling, a pair of custom scleral lenses usually lasts 1 to 2 years before needing replacement.

No. Unless specifically directed by your eye doctor for a severe medical condition, you should never sleep in your scleral lenses. They must be removed, cleaned, and stored in a specialized disinfecting solution every night.

If scleral lenses are deemed “medically necessary” due to a condition like Keratoconus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, or a corneal transplant, many vision insurance plans will cover a portion of the fitting fees and the cost of the lenses. Our billing team will help you understand your specific benefits.

Regular soft contact lenses rest on the cornea and are mass-produced in standard sizes. Scleral lenses are large, custom rigid lenses that rest on the white of the eye (sclera) and vault completely over the cornea, creating a fluid-filled space. This design makes them ideal for irregular corneas, severe dry eye, and conditions like Keratoconus where standard lenses fail. Scleral lenses often provide clearer vision than glasses or soft contacts for these conditions.

Yes. Scleral lenses are the gold standard treatment for Keratoconus. They vault over the irregular, cone-shaped cornea and create a smooth optical surface with the fluid reservoir, providing dramatically clearer vision than glasses or soft lenses. Many Keratoconus patients achieve 20/20 vision or better with properly fitted scleral lenses — vision that would be impossible with other correction methods.

No. While the large size can seem intimidating, scleral lenses are typically extremely comfortable once properly fitted. Because they rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye) which has far fewer nerve endings than the cornea, most patients find them more comfortable than traditional hard (RGP) lenses or even some soft lenses. The fluid reservoir also creates a cushioning effect. There may be a brief adaptation period, but pain is not normal — if lenses hurt, the fit needs adjustment.

The fitting process typically requires 2-4 appointments over several weeks. The first visit includes a comprehensive eye exam and corneal topography (a map of your eye’s surface). Subsequent visits involve trying diagnostic lenses, evaluating the fit under magnification, and fine-tuning parameters. Once the perfect fit is achieved, your custom lenses are ordered and you return for final fitting, insertion/removal training, and care instructions.

Yes, scleral lenses are excellent for sports because their large diameter makes them very stable on the eye — they won’t pop out during physical activity. However, you should not swim or shower while wearing scleral lenses due to the risk of waterborne infections. For water sports, wear protective goggles or remove your lenses beforehand.

Because scleral lenses are rigid, they can crack or chip if dropped on a hard surface. If this happens, stop wearing the damaged lens immediately and contact our office. We typically recommend keeping a backup pair for this reason. Most patients eventually order a second pair once they experience how life-changing the lenses are.

Yes, and scleral lenses are often the best option for high or irregular astigmatism. The rigid lens design and fluid reservoir create a perfectly smooth optical surface that corrects even severe astigmatism that glasses cannot fully address. Many patients with irregular astigmatism from conditions like Keratoconus, post-LASIK ectasia, or corneal scarring achieve their best vision ever with scleral lenses.

Yes! Scleral lenses can be made in multifocal designs to provide clear vision at distance, intermediate, and near ranges. This allows patients with conditions like Keratoconus or severe dry eye to also address age-related presbyopia without needing separate reading glasses. Your eye doctor will determine if multifocal sclerals are appropriate for your specific needs.

Ready to Experience the Scleral Lens Difference?

Don’t let corneal irregularities or severe dry eye dictate your quality of life. Schedule an evaluation with our specialty contact lens doctors to find out if custom scleral lenses are right for you.

Schedule Your Specialty Lens Consultation