Scleral Lenses for Athletes
Good vision is vital in sports—it can make all the difference between a good and a poor game. Fortunately, scleral lenses offer a way for athletes who need corrective lenses to achieve their goals, even in rough sports like basketball, football, and hockey.
Scleral lenses are custom-fit contact lenses for people with corneal irregularities, hard-to-fit eyes, and severe dry eye syndrome, among other conditions. They provide comfort and offer sharp vision on and off the playing field.
Scleral lenses are extremely stable on the eye, as they vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera. Moreover, the reservoir of saline solution between the back surface of the lens and the front of the cornea ensures that the eye remains moist all day long. Furthermore, the lenses’ highly breathable gas permeable material ensures that plenty of oxygen reaches the front of the eye.
What Kind Of Athletes Wear Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses benefit athletes who find wearing traditional contact lenses challenging or impossible, and/or who have any of the following eye conditions:
- Astigmatism
- Dry eye syndrome
- Presbyopia
- Keratoconus
- Post-refractive surgery (i.e. LASIK, PRK)
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)
Scleral Lenses for Athletes with Keratoconus
Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea thins and weakens over time. This causes a cone-like bulge to develop and an irregular-shaped cornea. Keratoconus can result in increased sensitivity to light, distorted vision, slightly blurred vision, and even significant vision loss. Professional athletes diagnosed with keratoconus often worry that the condition could end their career.
Scleral lenses are a long-term solution that helps athletes with keratoconus to continue to perform at their peak with amazing vision. Just ask professional athletes Brandon Williams from the Baltimore Ravens, Steph Curry from the Golden State Warriors, or Diamond DeShields from the Chicago Sky. They all wear scleral lenses and can now see clearly and play on the field much better than before scleral lenses.
Do Scleral Lenses Work For All Sports?
When fitted correctly, the edges of these customized lenses fit comfortably under the eyelids, which prevents them from easily falling out. Moreover, because of their stability and extreme comfort, they offer an added advantage for athletes who engage in rapid movements, such as in:
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Hiking
- Hockey
- Rock Climbing
- Soccer
- Skiing
- Tennis
However, sclerals are not advised for wrestling, karate, or boxing.
How Can Sclerals Improve An Athletes Vision?
Athletes are often exposed to challenging environmental conditions, such as dust, chalk, sand, and wind, all of which can lead to discomfort with soft contact lenses. As scleral lenses provide a seal over the eye’s surface, their eyes are much more protected from the elements. Because athletes have demanding visual needs, stable, clear, crisp vision is essential for optimal athletic performance.
To learn more, contact Specialty Lens and Keratoconus Center at EYEcenter Optometric today.
Specialty Lens and Keratoconus Center at EYEcenter Optometric serves patients from Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, and Elk Grove, all throughout California .