Scleral Lenses

Scleral Lenses — Clear Vision for the Eyes That Need It Most

If standard contacts don't work for you — because of keratoconus, severe dry eye, an irregular cornea, or another complex condition — scleral lenses may be the solution that changes everything.

At Lakefront Eye Care | Aesthetics & Wellness, scleral lens fitting is one of our core specialties. Dr. Jill M. Bert and Dr. Caroline Kucha have extensive experience designing and fitting custom scleral lenses for patients who've been told they "can't wear contacts" or who've struggled to find comfortable, clear vision anywhere else.

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are large-diameter, rigid gas permeable lenses that vault completely over the cornea — landing on the sclera (the white of the eye) rather than sitting on the corneal surface. A reservoir of preservative-free saline fills the space between the lens and your eye, providing:

• Crystal-clear vision — the rigid optical surface corrects even severe corneal irregularity

• All-day comfort — the lens never touches the cornea, and the saline cushion keeps your eye hydrated constantly

• Corneal protection — the saline reservoir shields the corneal surface from environmental exposure, friction, and desiccation

Many patients tell us their scleral lenses are actually more comfortable than the soft contacts they tried before.

Who Benefits from Scleral Lenses?

Keratoconus

Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin and bulge into an irregular cone shape, making standard glasses and soft contacts inadequate. Scleral lenses vault over the cone entirely, creating a smooth optical surface for sharp, stable vision — regardless of how irregular the cornea has become.

Learn more about our Keratoconus care →

Severe Dry Eye

For patients with severe dry eye that doesn't respond adequately to drops, warm compresses, or even IPL/RF therapy alone — scleral lenses act as a therapeutic moisture chamber. The saline reservoir continuously bathes the corneal surface, providing uninterrupted hydration throughout the day. This makes sclerals both a vision correction tool and a dry eye treatment.

Neurotrophic Keratitis

Neurotrophic keratitis — a condition where the corneal nerves are damaged or dysfunctional — leaves the corneal surface vulnerable to breakdown and ulceration because the eye can't sense when it needs to blink or tear. Scleral lenses protect the cornea by creating a sealed, hydrated environment that acts as a barrier against mechanical damage and exposure.

Other Conditions

Scleral lenses also help patients with:

• Post-surgical complications — after LASIK, PRK, or corneal transplant when the corneal surface is irregular

• Pellucid marginal degeneration — a corneal thinning condition similar to keratoconus

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome — where the ocular surface is severely compromised

• High or irregular astigmatism — when other lens types can't deliver clear, stable vision

• Chemical or thermal burns — for corneal protection during healing

Insurance Coverage — Often Covered in Full

Here's something many patients don't know: medically necessary contact lenses are often covered by vision insurance. For conditions like keratoconus, VSP and EyeMed typically cover scleral lenses in full under their medically necessary contact lens benefit. This means the lenses that dramatically improve your quality of life may cost you little to nothing out of pocket.

Our team handles the insurance verification and prior authorization so you know your coverage before we begin. We'll walk you through exactly what your plan covers.

The Fitting Process

Scleral lenses are fully custom — every lens is designed specifically for your eyes. Our fitting process ensures the best possible vision and comfort:

1. Comprehensive eye exam — evaluating your corneal health, topography, and overall visual system

2. Corneal mapping — using our Medmont corneal topographer and Oculus K5 Keratograph to create a detailed map of your corneal shape

3. OCT imaging — measuring corneal thickness and anterior segment structures

4. Diagnostic lens trial — we select an initial scleral lens based on your measurements, assess the fit, and refine as needed

5. Custom lens order — your final lens is manufactured to your exact specifications

6. Insertion & removal training — we spend dedicated time teaching you how to handle, insert, remove, and care for your scleral lenses with confidence

7. Follow-up visits — we check the fit, vision, and corneal health to ensure everything is performing optimally

8. Ongoing care — scleral lenses need periodic evaluation as your eyes change over time

Don't Settle for Blurry Vision or Constant Discomfort

If you have keratoconus, severe dry eye, neurotrophic keratitis, or any condition that makes standard contacts impossible — scleral lenses may give you the best vision and comfort you've ever experienced. And with insurance coverage for medically necessary lenses, they may be more accessible than you think.

Schedule Your Scleral Lens Consultation →

Proudly serving Edgewater, Sloan's Lake, Northwest Denver, Wheat Ridge, and Lakewood.