Specialty Contact Lens at Kahala Eye Clinic in Honolulu Hawai'i

Introduction to Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are a popular alternative to glasses for correcting common vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

There are two main types of contact lenses: soft contact lenses and gas permeable (GP) lenses. Soft lenses, often made from soft plastics, allow increased oxygen flow to the eyes and typically cover the entire cornea. In contrast, gas permeable lenses cover the cornea and offer different benefits.

Scleral lenses, a specialized type of gas permeable lens, are designed to vault over the cornea. They help maintain or restore the cornea’s natural shape, significantly improve vision and provide a comfortable, stable fit—especially beneficial for patients with irregular corneas or complex vision needs.

Wearing contact lenses offers a convenient and effective vision correction solution.

Compared to soft lenses, scleral lenses are more rigid and provide greater oxygen transmission to the eye, supporting healthier corneas and improved comfort.

Benefits of Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses provide significant benefits for individuals with vision problems, especially those with irregular corneas or conditions like keratoconus. One of the key advantages of scleral lenses is their ability to deliver sharper, clearer vision compared to soft contact lenses or traditional gas permeable lenses. Designed to vault over the entire corneal surface, scleral lenses create a smooth, consistent refracting surface that effectively corrects vision for patients with challenging corneal shapes.

Unlike soft lenses, scleral lenses are made from rigid gas permeable materials that allow high oxygen transmission to the eye. This is essential for maintaining healthy corneas and reducing the risk of eye infections, even with daily wear. Their rigid structure also minimizes lens movement on the eye, providing stable and comfortable vision throughout the day.

Kahala Eye Clinic offers expert scleral lens fitting in Honolulu Hawaii, providing personalized care for patients who have struggled with other types of contact lenses. Scleral lenses can be a transformative solution for those who have not achieved satisfactory results with soft or standard gas permeable lenses. With their advanced design and materials, scleral lenses from Kahala Eye Clinic offer reliable vision correction, promote eye health, and improve quality of life for patients with complex corneal conditions.

Types of Lenses

Soft contact lenses are made from flexible materials designed for daily wear, but they may not provide the same level of clarity and stability as rigid gas permeable lenses.

Gas permeable lenses, including both traditional rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses and scleral lenses, offer sharper vision and greater durability compared to soft lenses.

Hybrid lenses combine the comfort of soft lenses with the visual clarity of rigid gas permeable lenses, but they may not be suitable for every patient.

Scleral lenses, a specialized type of rigid gas permeable lens, are designed to vault over the entire corneal surface. They provide a comfortable, stable fit especially for patients with keratoconus or other irregular corneas. At Kahala Eye Clinic, custom mold options are available to ensure the perfect fit for even the most complex and irregular eye shapes. These personalized fittings help maximize comfort, vision clarity, and eye health.

Because of this advanced expertise in custom scleral lens fittings, Kahala Eye Clinic has become a destination clinic in Honolulu, attracting patients that receive eye care while visiting Hawai'i.

RGP lenses - made from hard oxygen-permeable materials that provide clear vision and touch the cornea. These lenses are not ideal but can be a good option for some individuals.

Who Can Benefit

Patients with irregular corneas, including those with keratoconus, can greatly benefit from scleral lenses.
Individuals with astigmatism or other vision issues that cannot be fully corrected with soft lenses may also be ideal candidates for scleral lenses.
Scleral lenses provide clearer vision and support healthier corneas, especially for patients who have struggled with other types of contact lenses or have dry eye.
Those who have undergone eye procedures may find scleral lenses to be an effective and comfortable vision correction option.
Anyone experiencing vision problems or eye health concerns should consult with an experienced eye care professional to determine if scleral lenses are the right solution.

Using Scleral Lenses

The process of inserting and removing scleral lenses involves several important steps to ensure comfort, safety, and proper fit.

To insert scleral lenses, hold the lens with the open side up and use your eyelids to help position the lens gently onto the corneal surface. You can use a special applicator or the fingers of one hand to guide the lens into place, taking care not to touch the lens with the other hand’s fingers.

Blinking helps the lens settle comfortably, and it’s essential to follow your eye care practitioner’s specific instructions for wearing and caring for your lenses.

Wearing scleral lenses can take some practice, but patients quickly learn to insert and remove them with ease. During the first few days, you may notice the need to adjust your blinking habits and comfort levels as you adapt to this new routine.

At Kahala Eye Clinic in Honolulu Hawaii, we take the time to thoroughly explain every step of using scleral lenses and answer all your questions. Our personalized approach ensures you feel confident and informed throughout the entire process.

Following the recommended wear schedule and cleaning routine is critical to safely using scleral lenses, preventing eye infections, and maintaining healthy corneas.

Inserting and Removing Scleral Lenses

Inserting and removing scleral lenses is a process that becomes easier with practice, but it’s important to follow each step carefully to protect your eye health and ensure a comfortable fit.

Inserting a Scleral Contact Lens

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them with a lint-free towel to avoid contaminating the lenses.
Fill the scleral lens bowl completely with the recommended sterile saline solution or preservative-free saline. This fluid cushions the eye and helps the lens vault over the cornea comfortably.
Hold the lens with the concave side (bowl) facing up. Use either your fingers or a specially designed scleral lens plunger/applicator to hold the lens.
Keep your other hand ready to hold your eyelids open. Use your fingers to pull down your lower eyelid and gently lift your upper eyelid.
Look straight down, keeping the fluid in the contact lens and then slowly bring the lens directly onto your eye.
Release your eyelids slowly and blink gently. Congratulation you have placed the contact lens on your eye!

Removing Scleral Lenses:

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
Look straight ahead.
Use a small custom made suction cup remover and place it near the edge of the sclearal contact lens.
Carefully pull the lens away from your eye.

Have more questions? During your visit at Kahala Eye Clinic in Honolulu Hawaii we will answer all of your questions. Kahala Eye Clinic is a destination clinic for scleral lens fittings and we will make sure your fee confident and comfortable with your new scleral lenses. During your comprehensive exam, we take the time to thoroughly review all these steps and answer your questions to ensure you feel comfortable and confident wearing your specialty contact lenses. Our personalized approach helps you maintain healthy eyes while enjoying the benefits of advanced vision correction.

Following these guidelines will help keep your eyes healthy and ensure your scleral lenses remain comfortable and effective.

Lens Care and Maintenance

Cleaning scleral lenses requires using the appropriate cleaning solutions and following your eye care practitioner’s specific instructions. Using the recommended lens care products is essential to maintain proper hygiene and prevent complications like infections or irritation.

Tips:

Never use tap water to clean or rinse scleral lenses, as it can contain bacteria and contaminants that may lead to serious eye infections.
Lens cases should be cleaned regularly and replaced at least every three months—or as advised by your eye care professional—to prevent bacterial buildup and maintain lens hygiene.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling lenses, and avoid touching the lens surface with your fingers to prevent oils and dirt from transferring onto the lenses.
Consistent cleaning and maintenance help extend the lifespan of your lenses and reduce the risk of eye infections. It’s also important to replace rigid gas permeable lenses and the tools, according to your eye care professional’s recommendations to ensure optimal eye health and lens performance.

Lens Longevity

Scleral lenses can last for 3-5 years if properly cared for, but the lifespan of the lenses will depend on the individual patient’s needs and the type of lens material used.
With proper care and maintenance, scleral lenses can provide clear vision and promote healthy corneas.
The cost of scleral lenses can vary from clinic to clinic depending on the type of lens, the lens coatings, the technology used to fit the lens and the doctors experience level. At Kahala Eye Clinic the very best lens coatings and lenses are used. Additionally our doctor has undergone additional extensive training specific for specialty lenses.
Scleral lenses can be replaced as needed, and patients should follow the eye care practitioner’s recommendations for replacement to ensure the lenses continue to fit properly and provide clear vision.
Regular follow-up appointments with an eye care practitioner can help extend the life of the lenses and prevent eye infections.

Lens Wear Schedule

Establishing a Proper Wear Schedule for Scleral Lenses

Establishing a proper wear schedule is essential when adapting to scleral lenses and maintaining long-term eye health. When first starting with scleral lenses, most patients are advised to begin with shorter wear times—typically around 4 to 6 hours per day. As the eyes gradually adapt, wear time can be increased, with many patients eventually wearing their lenses comfortably for 10 daily. It is generally recommended to give your eyes a break from the scleral lens 1-2x/week.

However, the ideal wear schedule can vary based on your specific condition and the recommendation of your eye care practitioner. It’s crucial to follow their guidance closely during the adaptation period.

Important Note on Overnight Wear:
Unlike some soft lenses, scleral lenses are not approved for overnight wear. Sleeping in scleral lenses significantly increases the risk of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation to the cornea) and infection. Overnight wear should not be done.

Always monitor your eyes for symptoms such as discomfort, redness, blurry vision, or irritation. If you experience any of these, remove your lenses and contact your eye care provider before resuming wear.

Proper Care is Critical:
Regular cleaning and disinfection of both the lenses and their storage case are vital to prevent complications and maintain clear, comfortable vision. Scleral lenses are particularly effective for patients with irregular corneas, such as those with keratoconus, because they vault over the corneal surface and create a smooth refractive surface. They also allow oxygen to reach the cornea through gas-permeable materials and the fluid reservoir, promoting corneal health.

By following a consistent wear schedule and care routine, patients can experience sharper, more stable vision and lasting comfort with scleral lenses.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Vision Correction

Vision correction is a highly individualized journey, and today’s patients have more options than ever before. Whether you’re considering soft contact lenses, gas permeable lenses, hybrid lenses, or advanced scleral lenses, each option offers distinct advantages tailored to different vision conditions and lifestyles.

Recent advancements in contact lens technology have made it easier than ever to find personalized solutions that provide both comfort and clarity. At Kahala Eye Clinic in Honolul,u Hawai‘i, we specialize in fitting custom contact lenses—including scleral lenses—for complex vision needs. As a destination clinic for specialty contact lenses, we take the time to ensure you understand all of your options, and we work with you to develop a tailored plan that supports long-term comfort, clear vision, and optimal eye health.

If you're experiencing vision problems or are interested in exploring the latest innovations in contact lenses, schedule a consultation at Kahala Eye Clinic today.