Scleral Lenses in Chester Springs, PA
Scleral lenses are large, custom contact lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the white of the eye. At Bespoke Eye Care, Dr. Amrit Singh, OD FAAO, fits scleral lenses for keratoconus, irregular corneas and severe dry eye. Patients come to us from Chester Springs, Exton, Downingtown and across Chester County.
If glasses and soft contacts haven't given you clear, comfortable vision, a scleral lens may. We'll tell you honestly whether it's the right option for your eyes.
What are scleral lenses?
A scleral lens is a rigid gas permeable contact lens that's much wider than a regular contact lens. Instead of sitting on the cornea, it lands on the sclera (the white part of the eye) and arches over the cornea without touching it.
Before you put a scleral lens in, you fill the bowl of the lens with sterile, preservative-free saline. That layer of fluid stays between the lens and your cornea while you wear it. It smooths out an irregular corneal surface so light can focus cleanly, and it keeps the front of the eye moist.
Each lens is designed around the shape of your eye. That's why a fitting takes more than one visit.
Who scleral lenses help
They're often a good fit for:
Keratoconus. The cornea thins and bulges into a cone, which causes blur, ghosting and glare that glasses often can't fix. A scleral lens gives the eye a smooth new optical surface. See our keratoconus management page.
Irregular corneas after surgery. This includes eyes that have had a corneal transplant or radial keratotomy (RK), and corneas that became irregular after LASIK or PRK.
Severe dry eye. When dry eye hasn't improved with other treatment, including dry eye from Sjögren's syndrome, the fluid layer under the lens keeps the cornea covered and moist through the day. Our dry eye care page covers the treatments we usually try first.
Ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). After a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, GVHD can cause severe dryness and pain. Scleral lenses can protect the cornea and improve comfort for some patients.
High astigmatism or a hard-to-fit prescription. When soft toric lenses don't give you stable, sharp vision, a scleral lens often can.
How a scleral lens fitting works
Most fittings take three to five visits over several weeks. Here's what to expect.
Evaluation and trial lens. We start with a full eye health exam and detailed corneal measurements. Then we place a diagnostic scleral lens, let it settle for about 20 to 30 minutes, and check how it clears the cornea and lands on the white of the eye.
Designing your lens. We use those findings to design your lens and order it from a specialty lab.
Dispensing and training. When your lenses arrive, we check the fit and your vision, then teach you how to put the lenses in, take them out and clean them. We'll practice with you until you're comfortable doing it on your own.
Follow-up visits. We see you again after you've worn the lenses for a while to fine-tune the fit and the prescription. Small changes are normal, and they're part of getting it right.
Are scleral lenses comfortable?
For most people, yes. Because the lens rests on the white of the eye, which is less sensitive than the cornea, many patients find scleral lenses more comfortable than smaller rigid lenses.
There's a short learning curve. Putting the lenses in takes practice for the first week or two, and some people notice mild fogging later in the day. If that happens, we can adjust the lens or your routine.
If a lens ever causes pain, redness or a sudden drop in vision, take it out and call us right away.
Cost and insurance
The cost of scleral lenses depends on your eyes, the lens design and your insurance, so we don't list a single price. We'll go over what to expect with you before we order lenses.
Many vision plans include a benefit for medically necessary contact lenses when a condition like keratoconus keeps glasses from giving you good vision. Some medical plans also cover parts of the evaluation. Coverage varies by plan.
We accept VSP, EyeMed, Davis Vision, Spectera, NVA, VBA and Superior Vision. For medical eye care, we're in network with Aetna, Cigna, Highmark Blue Shield, Humana Medicare, UnitedHealthcare and Tricare East. Call (484) 606-3937 with your plan details and we'll help you check your benefits before your visit.
Why Bespoke Eye Care for scleral lenses
Dr. Singh has keratoconus himself. His own diagnosis is a big part of why he became an optometrist, and it's why he takes the time to explain every option.
He completed his residency at Vance Thompson Vision, with training in corneal disease and specialty contact lenses, and he has taken part in clinical trials on keratoconus treatments.
We have particular experience with patients who've been told they're hard to fit, including people who've struggled with scleral lenses elsewhere.
When keratoconus is progressing, we'll also talk with you about corneal cross-linking and refer you to a corneal specialist. Scleral lenses improve vision, but they don't stop the cornea from changing.
Scleral lenses near Exton, Downingtown and West Chester
Our office is at 100 Begonia Drive, Suite 160, Chester Springs, PA 19425. We see scleral lens patients from Chester Springs, Exton, Downingtown, Malvern, West Chester, Phoenixville and the rest of Chester County.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, 8am to 4pm. Wednesday and Thursday, 11am to 7pm. Closed Friday and Sunday.
Scleral lens FAQs
What are scleral lenses?
Scleral lenses are large, custom gas permeable contact lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the white of the eye. A layer of saline under the lens smooths out an irregular cornea and keeps it moist.
Are scleral lenses good for keratoconus?
Yes. Scleral lenses are one of the most common ways to get clear vision with keratoconus, especially in moderate to advanced cases where glasses and soft lenses no longer work well.
Can scleral lenses help with severe dry eye?
They can. The saline layer keeps the cornea covered and wet while you wear the lens, which helps many people with severe dry eye, Sjögren's syndrome or ocular GVHD when other treatments haven't been enough.
How many visits does a scleral lens fitting take?
Most fittings take three to five visits over several weeks, including the evaluation, lens training and follow-ups. Some eyes need a few extra adjustments.
Do scleral lenses hurt?
They shouldn't. Most people find them comfortable because the lens rests on the less sensitive white of the eye, and any pain or redness means you should remove the lens and call us.
Does insurance cover scleral lenses?
Often, at least in part. Many vision plans cover medically necessary contact lenses for conditions like keratoconus, but benefits vary, so call (484) 606-3937 and we'll help you check your coverage.
Do scleral lenses stop keratoconus from getting worse?
No. Scleral lenses improve vision but don't slow keratoconus. Corneal cross-linking is the procedure used to slow progression, and we refer for it when it's needed.
Where can I get scleral lenses near Exton, PA?
Bespoke Eye Care fits scleral lenses at 100 Begonia Drive, Suite 160, Chester Springs, PA 19425, and sees patients from Exton, Downingtown, West Chester and across Chester County.
Find out if scleral lenses are right for you
Bring your current glasses, any contact lenses you've tried and your insurance cards.