
For many people, soft contact lenses provide comfortable, clear vision. Keratoconus, however, can make traditional contacts increasingly difficult to wear. As the cornea thins and develops a more cone-like shape, soft lenses may no longer provide stable vision or a comfortable fit.
At San Marcos Vision Center, we offer scleral lenses for patients with keratoconus and other irregular corneal conditions. These larger-diameter lenses are designed differently from standard soft contacts, making them an option when conventional lenses are no longer meeting your visual needs.
Keratoconus changes the shape of the cornea, which can create irregular astigmatism, blurred vision, glare, halos, and frequent prescription changes. Because soft contacts generally conform closely to the corneal surface, they may take on some of that irregular shape rather than creating the smooth optical surface needed for clearer vision.
Patients may begin noticing problems such as:
• Vision that remains blurry even with updated soft contacts
• Contacts that shift or feel unstable
• Increasing glare or halos, especially at night
• Difficulty achieving consistent vision throughout the day
• Discomfort or reduced contact lens wearing time
When these problems persist, scleral lenses may provide a more effective approach.
Scleral lenses are larger than standard contacts. Instead of resting directly on the cornea, they vault over it and rest on the sclera - the white portion of the eye.
The space between the lens and cornea is filled with sterile saline solution before insertion. This creates a smooth optical surface over the irregular cornea, which can significantly improve visual clarity for many patients with keratoconus. The fluid reservoir may also provide additional comfort by keeping the corneal surface hydrated while the lens is worn. Because the lens rests on the sclera rather than the sensitive cornea, patients who have struggled with smaller rigid lenses may also find scleral lenses more comfortable.
A successful scleral lens fitting requires detailed measurements of your eyes. At our San Marcos office, we evaluate the shape and condition of your cornea before determining the appropriate lens design.
We use advanced technology, including Pentacam and Medmont systems, to obtain detailed measurements that help us customize the fit. Your lenses are then evaluated for proper clearance over the cornea, stability, comfort, and vision.
Follow-up visits are an important part of the process. Small adjustments may be needed to optimize how the lenses fit and perform throughout the day. We will also teach you how to properly insert, remove, clean, and care for your lenses.
Keratoconus can affect each person differently, so there is no single lens design that works for everyone. Our goal is to evaluate your corneal shape, prescription, eye health, and visual needs before recommending the right approach.
If soft contacts are no longer giving you the clarity or comfort you need, schedule an eye exam with San Marcos Vision Center to learn whether scleral lenses are right for you. Contact our office in San Marcos, TX, by calling (512) 890-0660 to book an appointment.