Question 1

Why the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute for Scleral Lenses?

Accepted Answer

At the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute, it is common for patients to travel from hours away to see us, as our office is truly unique in the capabilities and services we provide. We have scleral lens patients who come to us from Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia, as well as North Carolina and South Carolina. At our office you can expect a very thorough and detailed initial examination, and you can expect to spend 100% of your time one-on-one with the doctor. Our doctors lecture nationwide on the topic of scleral contact lenses, so rest assured you're in good hands with doctors who are truly scleral lens specialists.

Question 2

The Ultimate Technology for Scleral Lenses

Accepted Answer

Another way in which Charlotte Contact Lens Institute is truly unique is with the type of technology which is available to aid in designing the best possible scleral lens. The Pentacam AXL Wave is an advanced diagnostic instrument that is currently only available at a dozen or two optometry offices nationwide.

This device collects up to 240,000 unique data points across the cornea and sclera, and these 240,000 data points are used to design a truly custom scleral lens that is specific to each patient's eyes. For this reason, each scleral contact lens is engineered uniquely for each patient, delivering the sharpest and most comfortable visual outcome possible.

Question 3

Are Scleral Lenses Comfortable?

Accepted Answer

Scleral contact lenses come in many shapes and sizes. They are large-diameter gas-permeable ("hard") lenses, which may sound intimidating at first; however, scleral contact lenses are designed to vault completely over the cornea (the highly sensitive, nerve-rich part of the eye) and rest gently on the white part of the eye (the sclera, which has far fewer nerve endings).

Because of this vaulting design, scleral lenses are remarkably comfortable—often significantly more comfortable than standard corneal gas-permeable lenses. Unlike traditional contact lenses that sit directly on the cornea, scleral lenses extend to the sclera's outer edges. If a scleral lens feels uncomfortable, either the landing zone profile needs precise micro-adjustment or the patient may have underlying dry eye syndrome, which our doctors diagnose and treat collaboratively.

Question 4

Benefits of Scleral Contact Lenses

Accepted Answer

Stability and Comfort: Scleral lenses offer an exceptionally stable fit, eliminating lens movement on the eye and dramatically enhancing all-day comfort.; Corneal Protection: Scleral contact lenses provide a continuous protective barrier, shielding the fragile corneal epithelium from environmental irritants, lid friction, and mechanical trauma.; Superior Visual Correction: Scleral lenses are extraordinarily effective at correcting complex irregular astigmatism, high refractive errors, and corneal irregularities, restoring crisp, sharp vision.; Continuous Dry Eye Hydration: The fluid reservoir between the lens and cornea continuously bathes the ocular surface in sterile, preservative-free saline throughout wear.; Versatility: Scleral lenses can be customized to virtually any ocular surface asymmetry, offering transformative visual solutions for eyes considered difficult to fit.

Question 5

Method #1 for Fitting Scleral Lenses – Using a “Fit Set”

Accepted Answer

There are two typical approaches to designing a scleral lens. Charlotte Contact Lens Institute primarily uses an advanced freeform topography method, but first we explain the standard industry approach: using a diagnostic "fit set".

A fit set is comprised of 12 to 40 standard, prefabricated scleral lenses provided by lens manufacturers, which serve as a rough starting template. An eye doctor selects a lens close to the patient's estimated eye shape, places it on the eye, and assesses the fit visually with sodium fluorescein under a slit lamp. Modifications are estimated based on these observations.

While effective for straightforward cases, traditional fit sets frequently require multiple trial-and-error visits, remakes, and prolonged fitting timelines. Standard rotationally symmetric or toric diagnostic sets often fall short in complex or highly asymmetrical eyes compared to true freeform lens designs.

Question 6

Method #2 for Fitting Scleral Lenses – Using the Pentacam AXL Wave

Accepted Answer

Most patients want the best fit, vision, and comfort possible, which is why at Charlotte Contact Lens Institute we do NOT rely on diagnostic "fit sets" except in rare circumstances. Instead, we utilize the state-of-the-art Oculus Pentacam AXL Wave—an advanced Scheimpflug corneal and scleral tomographer found in only a select few specialized practices nationwide.

The Pentacam AXL Wave captures up to 240,000 discrete elevation data points across the cornea, limbus, and anterior sclera. Our doctors utilize this dense 3D elevation map to engineer a 100% custom, freeform scleral lens matched precisely to the unique elevation contours of your eye. This eliminates trial-and-error guesswork, drastically reduces necessary follow-up visits, and typically achieves a finalized, highly optimized lens within just 2 to 3 appointments.

Question 7

Applications for Scleral Contact Lenses

Accepted Answer

Scleral contact lenses are versatile, medical-grade optical devices beneficial for a comprehensive spectrum of vision and ocular surface conditions, including: Keratoconus: Providing smooth optical correction and vaulting over progressive corneal steepening and thinning. Learn more about Keratoconus; Irregular Astigmatism: Replacing asymmetric corneal refraction with a perfectly spherical or custom wavefront optical front surface. Learn more about Irregular Astigmatism; Dry Eye Syndrome: Maintaining a therapeutic fluid reservoir that prevents ocular surface desiccation and pain. Learn more about Dry Eye Disease; Ocular Surface Diseases: Providing vital epithelial healing and shielding for conditions such as Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD), Sjögren’s Syndrome, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).; Post-Corneal Transplant (PK & DALK): Vaulting over delicate surgical graft junctions and donor mismatches without mechanical graft contact. Learn more about Corneal Transplants; High Refractive Errors: Correcting extreme myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism that exceed the optical capabilities of conventional soft contacts or spectacles.; Post-Refractive Surgery Complications: Rehabilitating distorted vision, ectasia, and diurnal fluctuations following LASIK/PRK ectasia or Radial Keratotomy (RK).; Photophobia & Light Sensitivity: Protecting eyes sensitive to glare and light resulting from ocular injury, migraines, or severe ocular surface disease. Learn more about Photophobia; Corneal Trauma & Scarring: Shielding traumatic lacerations, stromal dystrophies, and post-infectious corneal scars during and after rehabilitation. Learn more about Ocular Trauma; Complex Prescriptions: Neutralizing higher-order aberrations, monocular diplopia, and ghosting where conventional glasses fail. Learn more about Double Vision; Sports & Active Lifestyles: Providing stable, non-dislodging visual performance during athletics and outdoor activities where wind or dust would dislodge standard lenses.; Cosmetic & Prosthetic Reconstruction: Masking corneal opacities, aniridia, or coloboma while restoring functional vision. Learn more about Prosthetic Lenses

Question 8

Disadvantages of Sclerals

Accepted Answer

While scleral lenses offer life-changing benefits, it is essential to consider both advantages and practical limitations. Our doctors discuss every aspect transparently during your evaluation: Investment Cost: Scleral lenses require higher initial investment than disposable soft contacts due to specialized materials, sub-micron diagnostic instrumentation, and dedicated fitting expertise.; Specialized Fitting Process: Custom scleral fitting requires dedicated instrumentation and fellowship-trained expertise. While traditional methods take numerous visits, our 240,000-point tomography usually finalizes your design in 2 to 3 appointments.; Practitioner Availability: True scleral lens specialists with advanced elevation tomography and anterior segment OCT are rare. Patients routinely travel from across the Carolinas and neighboring states to our Matthews clinic.; Initial Insertion & Removal Learning Curve: Patients new to scleral lenses require one-on-one training with specialized insertion stands, DMV plungers, and preservative-free saline. Our clinical team provides comprehensive, unhurried patient training until insertion and removal become second nature.

Question 9

Cost of Sclerals

Accepted Answer

Many prospective patients wonder what custom scleral lenses cost. Scleral contact lenses represent a specialized medical investment due to advanced diagnostic mapping, sub-micron precision manufacturing, and intensive doctor time.

While individual clinical requirements vary, an initial comprehensive scleral lens fitting package typically ranges between $3,000 and $3,900. This comprehensive package includes your in-depth 1.5 to 2-hour initial evaluation with the doctor, all precision diagnostic scans, necessary iterative design adjustments, a finalized custom pair (2 lenses), and all follow-up visits throughout the fitting warranty period.

In addition to a paid-in-full option, The Charlotte Contact Lens Institute offers an affordable monthly payment plan that divides treatment into manageable payments of approximately $190 to $280 per month. We also accept CareCredit®, Cherry™ promotional financing, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) / Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

If you have questions regarding your specific insurance coverage or medical necessity benefits, we offer a complimentary phone consultation at (704) 800-5230 or via email at hello@charlottecontactlens.com.