Specialty Care

Scleral lenses: the answer for 'impossible to fit' eyes.

If you've been told you can't wear contacts — because of keratoconus, corneal scarring, post-surgical changes, or punishing dry eye — scleral lenses were designed precisely for you.

How a scleral lens works

A scleral lens is a large-diameter rigid lens that arches completely over the cornea and lands on the sclera — the white of the eye. The space underneath fills with saline, creating a smooth liquid optical surface where an irregular cornea used to be.

That fluid reservoir is why sclerals do double duty: crisp optics for irregular corneas, and continuous moisture for severe dry eye.

Who benefits most

Keratoconus patients often see their sharpest vision in years. Post-LASIK and post-transplant corneas gain a stable surface. Severe dry-eye sufferers get all-day relief that drops can't match. And complex prescriptions — high astigmatism, odd multifocal needs — get custom-built optics.

Fittings are genuinely specialist work: mapping the cornea, iterating the vault and landing zone, and training you on handling. It's a process measured in weeks, and worth every visit.

What a fitting involves

We start with corneal topography — a detailed elevation map of your eye — then trial lenses, adjustments, and follow-ups until the fit is stable and the vision is right. You'll leave confident with insertion, removal, and care.

If you've written off contacts, don't. Book a consultation with Dr. Carrie and find out what modern specialty lenses can do.

Talk to us about it.

Every topic in the journal is a conversation we're happy to have in person. Book a visit or just walk in.

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Quick answers

Common questions.

What conditions do scleral lenses treat?

Keratoconus, post-LASIK ectasia, corneal scarring and irregularity, severe dry eye, and prescriptions too complex for standard soft lenses. They're often the difference between functional and blurry vision.

Are scleral lenses comfortable?

Surprisingly, yes — usually more comfortable than standard rigid lenses. They vault over the sensitive cornea entirely and rest on the white of the eye, with a cushion of fluid in between.

Who fits scleral lenses near Hilton Head?

Dr. Carrie Roitstein at Eyeland Optique specializes in scleral, hybrid, and custom multifocal fittings — specialty work that usually requires a trip to a university clinic.