Current applications and efficacy of scleral contact lenses — a retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the indications and efficacy of high gas permeable scleral contact lenses (GP-SCL). Methods: A total database of 97 consecutive patients (140 eyes) fitted with GP-SCL between January 2003 and December 2008, was retrospectively analyzed to determine the benefits of fitting scleral lenses. All lenses were fitted by preformed technique and were non-fenestrated. Patients included keratoconus – 88 eyes (63 %); corneal irregularities after penetrating keratoplasty – 39 eyes (28 %); various ocular surface disorders: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), graft versus host disease (GVHD) and exposure keratopathy – 6 eyes (4 %); post refractive surgery keratoectasia – 4 eyes (3 %), and high refractive error – 3 eyes (2 %). Results: Mean follow up was 27.5 months (range 1–71), mean wearing time in successful wearers group was 12.2 hours per day (range 10–16), mean wearing time in group of wearers who dropped out using GP-SCL, was 5.8 hours (range 3–8). Keratoconus patients achieved median best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/32, 84 % of patients achieved BCVA of 20/40 or more. The post keratoplasty group achieved median BCVA of 20/25, 92 % of patients achieved BCVA of 20/40 or better. In the other groups, median BCVA was as follows: ocular surface disorders – 20/50, keratoectasia – 20/30, high refractive error – 20/32. Positive fluid-venting was highly associated with successful GP-SCL wearing. Twenty patients (21 %) failed to wear GP-SCL. Conclusions: GP-SCL's expand the management of various corneal abnormalities. The main indication for GP-SCL is optical correction of an irregular corneal surface, especially keratoconus and corneal transplant.

Keywords

• Scleral lenses
• Gas permeable scleral lenses
• Therapeutic lenses
• Visual acuity