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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic

SCLERAL CONTACTS STILL OPTION FOR SOME

Dear Mayo Clinic: What are scleral contact lenses and who can benefit from them? Are they more expensive than regular contact lenses? — Rochester, Minn.

Answer: Scleral lenses differ from other contact lenses in several ways. Unlike other contacts, a scleral contact lens doesn’t rest on your eye’s cornea — the protective dome of clear tissue over the front of your eye. Instead, the hard lens doesn’t touch the cornea at all, but rather rests on the sclera (the white part of your eye outside the iris) and forms a dome over the cornea. Because it reaches over your entire cornea, a scleral lens is much larger than a standard contact lens; some of these lenses are as large as one inch in diameter. The space between the lens and the cornea must contain fluid for the lens to work properly. This means that when you insert a scleral contact lens into your eye, the lens needs to be filled with a sterile saline solution to ensure clear vision.

Scleral lenses were the original type of contact lenses developed in the late 1800s. Since then, smaller corneal lenses have largely replaced scleral lenses. But, for some people, scleral lenses are still a good option. For example, people who need rigid lenses in order to see clearly, but who cannot tolerate smaller rigid lenses, may find they get the vision and comfort they need with scleral lenses. Also, people who have persistent dry-eye symptoms — such as burning, stabbing eye pain or intermittently blurred vision — or who have damage to the surface of their eyes due to an inadequate or poor-quality tear film may benefit from these lenses.

Scleral lenses are more expensive than other lenses because they are individually manufactured for each patient. Fees for fitting these lenses also are higher than for other contact lenses.

If you think scleral lenses may be right for you, talk to your eye care professional for more information.
— Muriel Schornack, O.D., Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Additional Resources:
Ophthalmology
Contact Lenses

Readers: When you're on vacation or traveling for work, don't leave fitness behind. Here are some helpful tips.

Plan ahead: Many hotels offer exercise facilities and pools. Call ahead to check. If you have a favorite sport, incorporate it into the trip. Rent bikes or schedule a golf outing, tennis match or a night of bowling or dancing.

Pack appropriately: Bring clothing and footwear so you can be active. Don't forget a swimsuit. Pack a jacket and umbrella so you can walk, even if it's raining. Throw in a fitness DVD if you use one at home.

Use layovers and long flights: Walk briskly around the terminal between flights. You can stash your bags in airport lockers. On the plane, stretch and walk the aisle once every hour. It helps decrease muscle aches, joint stiffness and swelling. It also improves blood flow and reduces your risk of developing a blood clot in your legs. Stretch in your seat by rotating your neck and shoulders and wiggling your feet. The air on a plane typically is very dry, so don't forget to stay hydrated.

Take frequent breaks when driving: If you're on a car trip, stop often to get out and stretch. Walk around a rest area. Pump your arms to circulate your blood. Try to touch your shoulder blades together and then relax them. When sitting, whether in a car, bus or train, keep your knees as high as your hips to help with blood flow.

Make fitness a focus: If you're going on vacation, consider making physical activity the main event. Try hiking, backpacking, canoeing or camping. Ask a travel agent about ecotourism, a specialized adventure travel tour of natural habitats that minimizes impact on the local environment.
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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org, or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.