Learn how to maintain comfortable vision and wear with scleral lenses, address conjunctival and lid changes linked to discomfort, and manage ocular allergy and meibomian gland dysfunction in keratoconus patients.
Scleral lens discomfort related to fit and ocular surface inflammation
Key Mechanisms
Lens decentration causing residual astigmatism, improper peripheral fit causing tear film debris or limbal impingement, ocular surface inflammation from allergy and meibomian gland dysfunction
Target Population
Patients with complex refractive and ocular conditions, including keratoconus
Care Setting
Private optometric practice with scleral lens management
Key Highlights
Blurry vision often results from poor peripheral lens fit causing decentration and residual astigmatism.
Toric peripheral curves improve lens centration and alignment with conjunctival-scleral and limbal zones.
Managing ocular surface inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction is critical to sustaining lens comfort.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Use patient history and validated questionnaires (Ocular Surface Disease Index, Contact Lens Discomfort Index, Pain Scale Index) to assess lens comfort and ocular surface health.
Management
Prescribe toric peripheral curves to improve lens fit and centration.
Proactively manage conjunctival and lid inflammation with topical anti-inflammatory medications.
Consider advanced treatments such as heated meibomian gland evacuation or intense pulsed light therapy for refractory meibomian gland dysfunction.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Regularly evaluate lens fit, ocular surface condition, and patient comfort using qualitative and quantitative tools.
Monitor for signs of limbal hypoxia, stem cell deficiency, and scarring due to lens impingement.
Risks
Poor lens fit can cause limbal hypoxia, stem cell deficiency, and scarring.
Unmanaged ocular allergy may lead to chronic conjunctival inflammation and secondary dry eye disease.
Meibomian gland dysfunction can exacerbate contact lens discomfort.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Patients with keratoconus and other complex ocular conditions wearing scleral lenses
Tailored scleral lens fitting with toric peripheral curves and proactive ocular surface inflammation management improves sustained comfort and vision quality.
Clinical Best Practices
Obtain a detailed patient history focusing on ocular surface symptoms and comfort.
Utilize standardized questionnaires to quantify patient-reported comfort and symptoms.
Customize scleral lens peripheral curves to match conjunctival and limbal anatomy.
Address ocular allergy and inflammation early with appropriate topical therapies.
Implement advanced meibomian gland treatments when conventional management fails.
Maintain open communication with patients to optimize adherence and outcomes.
Optometric Management spoke with Alcon and the World Council of Optometry (WCO) on the 5-year partnership that is still going strong between the companies, dry eye and patient quality of life, and initiatives in developing resources.
