What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are large rigid/hard-surface contact lenses that are custom designed and manufactured for your individual eyes. These are medical devices that require proper evaluations that can only be completed by a licensed and skilled eye care provider.

Who Can Wear Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses can be used in many applications. Most commonly they are used to correct blurry vision on an irregular cornea. Common causes of an irregular cornea include: keratoconus, dry eye, irregular and high astigmatism, and acquired corneal dystrophies.

Types of Scleral Lenses

Your customized scleral lenses are specified by several different parameters. The difference in size will be chosen by your eye care provider: Full SCLERAL LENSES: largest type, providing greatest amount of clearance between the cornea and lens Mini SCLERAL LENSES: mid-size variety that make some contact with the eye on the sclera (white part of eye). Semi-SCLERAL LENSES: larger than mini, smaller than full; the edge of the lens rests on the junction between the cornea and sclera (white part of eye).

Scleral Lens Fit Process

Prior to prescribing scleral lenses, a complete ocular health exam is needed, including corneal topography or tomography (mapping of the corneal surface). If scleral lenses are appropriate, your eye care provider will custom design your lenses. The process to custom design your scleral lens includes applying a diagnostic lens on the eye during your initial visit. The lens parameters are then determined in accordance with your optimal prescription. The final lens determined during your initial fitting is one-of-a-kind and fully customized to your unique eye(s).

Follow Up Care

Prior to taking your scleral lenses home you will be provided a 1-hour insertion & removal training as well as care instruction for your scleral lenses. You will return for frequent progress visits with your eye care provider to make any necessary changes.

The Scleral Lens Prescription

Over the course of the fitting process, a fully customized scleral lens is determined. Some of the parameters include lens diameter, curvature, power, material, color, thickness and other proprietary specifications. Scleral lenses can only be dispensed to a patient by an eye care provider.
For more information about scleral lenses, please do not hesitate to call our expert eye care team.

Why are my SCLERAL LENSES fulfilled through my prescriber’s practice?

The safest way to fulfill your scleral lens prescription is through your prescriber in order to receive exactly what was intended during the initial fitting. Your lenses are warranted which allows your lens to be exchanged at no further cost within 60-days. Scleral lens laboratories will not sell scleral lenses directly to patients. Each laboratory is unique in its designs. Not all scleral lens brands are the same.

919-876-2427

Dannielle F. Richard, O.D.

Office: Executive Drive – Raleigh, NC
Specialty: Comprehensive eye care, Speciality Contact Lens care, Optical Services

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Dr. Richard specializes in primary care optometry which includes extensive experience in routine and medical examination. She has a particular interest in contact lens fittings for irregular corneas such as those of patient with keratoconus and who have undergone prior corneal transplantation. She also has experience in managing pre and post-operative surgical patients with a primary focus on cornea and cataract surgeries.

She earned her baccalaureate degree in Chemistry from The University of North Carolina, Wilmington. She then earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from The New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts.

Dr. Richard practiced for over a decade in Boston alongside the region’s top ophthalmologists. She is a team oriented and patient care focused clinician who takes pride in her ability to provide high quality of care for every patient.

In her spare time Dr. Richard enjoys exercise, volunteering with her church, and spending as much time as possible with her husband and three young boys.

Dr. Dannielle Richard O.D. specializes in customized scleral contact lenses for irregular corneas such as those with keratoconus and/or who have undergone prior corneal transplantation.

Accepting New patients in our Executive Dr Office

ASSOCIATIONS