For numerous patients, traditional glasses or soft contact lenses fall short. When vision is compromised due to conditions like keratoconus, severe dry eye, or corneal injuries, individuals often feel stuck between inadequate eyesight and invasive surgeries. Thankfully, contemporary eye care now presents an alternative route: scleral lenses – highly specialized medical devices that blend comfort, protection, and clarity.

What Are Scleral Lenses and Who Needs Them?

In contrast to standard contact lenses, scleral lenses are larger and rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera), arching over the cornea without making contact. This innovative design establishes a liquid reservoir between the lens and the cornea, safeguarding fragile tissue and ensuring consistently clear vision.

These lenses are particularly effective for people with:

• Keratoconus or other corneal irregularities

• Severe dry eye disease, including Sjögren’s syndrome

• Post-corneal transplant complications

• Corneal trauma or scarring

• Neurological or functional eyelid conditions such as ptosis

Beyond Standard Fittings: EyePrintPRO

Certain patients may need even further customization beyond advanced lenses. EyePrintPRO addresses this by creating a “fingerprint” of the eye’s surface using a 3D impression. This technology results in a lens crafted with micron-level precision – often the sole solution for patients with highly irregular corneas or complex eye conditions.

The Quality of Life Impact

Patients equipped with scleral lenses frequently report remarkable improvements: the capability to read comfortably, resume professional tasks, or drive safely at night. A 2022 study in Eye & Contact Lens found that over 80% of keratoconus patients utilizing scleral lenses experienced “significant quality-of-life improvement,” including reduced discomfort and fewer visual distortions.

Indeed, epidemiological studies indicate that keratoconus affects about 1 in 2000 individuals globally, while chronic dry eye symptoms are reported in almost 10% of adults over 50, emphasizing the widespread need for solutions beyond glasses or basic contact lenses.

Comparing Options: Scleral vs. Standard Lenses

While soft lenses and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses remain prevalent, they often fall short in advanced cases. Standard lenses can move excessively on an irregular cornea, leading to blurred vision or discomfort. Scleral lenses, by contrast, provide a stable optical surface, enhancing vision where other methods fail.

Why the Middle East Needs Access to Advanced Solutions

In the Middle East, advanced corneal care is often limited, leaving many patients without effective solutions for complex eye conditions. M’Eye Clinic in Israel specializes in cutting-edge scleral lenses, opening the doors for patients from across the region – including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Turkey. By offering technologies such as EyePrintPRO and personalized fittings, M’Eye Clinic provides international patients with life-changing access to treatments that can mean the difference between dependency and independence.

Frequently Asked Questions