Finding Lasting Relief from Dry Eye with Custom Scleral Lenses
- Understanding Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are wide-diameter, gas-permeable contact lenses that rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye) while completely vaulting over the cornea. Between the lens and your cornea, a fluid reservoir forms, keeping the surface hydrated throughout the
day.
This protective liquid layer doesn’t just soothe dryness — it shields the eye from external irritants, encourages healing of damaged tissue, and often restores sharp vision that may have been compromised by irregular corneal surfaces.
- Why Standard Dry Eye Treatments Often Fail
Dry eye disease can result from many factors, including immune disorders, eyelid inflammation, LASIK side effects, or intolerance to regular contact lenses. While lubricating drops may give temporary relief, they rarely address the root cause for patients with:
- Severe tear deficiency
- Corneal staining or scarring
- Nerve-related or post-surgical dry ey
- Ongoing inflammation resistant to medications
This is where custom-designed scleral lenses provide an advanced, long-term solution.
- Our Specialized Approach to Scleral Lens Fitting
At the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute, scleral lenses are never “off-the-shelf.” We use advanced technology like the Pentacam AXL Wave, which collects over 240,000 data points to precisely map the shape of your cornea and uncover the underlying source of
your discomfort.
Based on this data, we design a freeform scleral lens tailored to your unique eye anatomy. These highly customized lenses offer:
- Greater comfort by reducing pressure on sensitive areas
- Sharper vision with optics matched to your corneal shap
- Improved tolerance for patients who’ve struggled with contacts before
This level of precision is especially valuable for individuals with prior surgeries, corneal scarring, or irregular astigmatism — and it’s what makes our process stand apart.
Learn more about our advanced scleral lens fitting: Scleral Lenses
- Next-Level Customization: EyePrintPRO & EyeFitPRO
For patients with especially complex eye shapes or highly irregular corneas, we offer two next-generation technologies:
- EyePrintPRO — creates a lens from a 3D impression mold of your eye for unmatched precision. Perfect for patients who haven’t found success with any other lenses.
- EyeFitPRO — uses advanced digital scanning to capture every detail of your scleral shape, ensuring a lens that aligns perfectly without gaps or decentering.
These tools allow us to go beyond fitting — we design scleral lens systems that protect, heal, and optimize vision at a level traditional lenses cannot achieve.
- What Patients Can Expect
Most of our patients living with dry eye notice improvements quickly, including:
- Significant symptom relief, often within the first week
- Clearer, sharper vision with improved contrast sensitivity
- Less reliance on lubricating drops or medications
With proper care and regular monitoring, scleral lenses are safe for long-term daily use. Our all-inclusive care model also ensures you’ll receive ongoing support, training, and access to the latest innovations in lens technology.
- Are Scleral Lenses the Solution for Your Dry Eye?
If you’ve been told there are no further options for your dry eyes, or if your current contact lenses remain uncomfortable, custom scleral lenses may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. Whether your condition stems from LASIK, autoimmune disease, or years of chronic symptoms — there is hope.
We proudly serve patients from Charlotte and across the United States who are seeking advanced specialty care.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Scleral Lenses for Dry Eye
Are scleral lenses safe for daily wear?
With proper monitoring and care, scleral lenses are often safer and more effective than traditional contacts for chronic dry eye patients.
What if I’ve tried other lenses that didn’t work?
We specialize in advanced customization with technologies like EyePrintPRO and EyeFitPRO, which allow us to design lenses even for patients who haven’t had success elsewhere.
Do scleral lenses just provide comfort, or do they also improve vision?
Both. By protecting the cornea and neutralizing surface irregularities, scleral lenses often deliver sharper, more stable vision in addition to comfort.