It’s been a year now since I tried wearing a type of Semi Scleral lens… it’s a 14MM lens, so larger than most soft lenses, but not as large as a full-scale scleral.  It’s like a really large RGP in a way.  I was unable to use hybrid lenses such as Synergeyes – as I could never get a full vault from them and they did not transmit enough oxygen (though it could have just been my incompetent fitter.)  See others’ similar experience.

First:  Do not compromise on who’s doing your fitting. Even if you have to drive a couple of hours, find someone who does a lot of Kerataconus patients. Most lens fitters do a few KC patients a year.  Find someone who does a few per month at least.   Just because they have the fitting kit in the office does not mean they know how to use it!

The lens has the following advantages for those with Advanced Keratoconus:

• The lens vaults the corneal “point” preventing abrasions and discomfort.
• It holds a saline/tear layer under the lens, addressing dry eye symptoms for many people.
• It’s easier to insert than a full scleral.  Just 3-4 drops of saline in the lens, inserted with your face down.  (similar to this video)
• It stays in place – it’s really held on the eye.
• Wear time of 8-10 hours on a good day.
• Better vision than you’ll get with a soft KC lens or glasses.

The disadvantages as I see them

• A learning curve to insert properly… bubbles must be avoided.  It takes 1-2 weeks.
• If your KC is really steep, the lens must be also, so the “rim” of the lens will be bearing the load, as well as the “push” that your eyelid places on it each time you blink.   This doesn’t hurt as it happens, but over the course of the day it can get uncomfortable.  You may see blanching – or redness – just at the scleral-iris boundary.
• Removal must be done carefully to avoid pain.  You must use a suction plunger to remove them.
• Very expensive.  $300-400 each.

• 

  Insurance will not cover them … says they are “cosmetic”

• Breakable… do not drop them on a tile floor – spread a towel out on the counter.
• Cleaning is tricky… you want to be really careful.  I use a q-tip to clean the “inside bowl” of the lens.  Take your time.
• Never let anything under them – rinse the heck out of ’em.

Some other thoughts about these lenses:

• You must not wear them too long, or you’ll pay the price the next day.
• When removing them, make sure your eye is well lubricated.  Let the lubricant sit in your eye for 30-45 seconds before attempting removal.
• Preservative-free saline works best under the lens.  Even if you’ve never had any problem with preservative – this is a new situation.  This saline will be under the lens in a small volume – and any thing that irritates your eye will be concentrated under there.   I use Unisol 4 in the 4-oz bottles because you must discard the solution after 30 days.
• I use Refresh No-Rub for nightly storage – hoping it will help disinfect the lens.
• I take a Zyrtec every day to avoid eye itch.
• Invest in a nice little LED-lit mirror to carry around.  I have one at work, one in my car.
• Buy a few extra plungers – I keep one at work, one in my car, and one at home.

It takes some time to get used to them, but they can work really well.