Youth is a time when you really want to stand out from the crowd and attract attention. For this purpose, there are a huge number of different ways: bright makeup, tattoos, colored hair and many others. Recently, scleral lenses have become very popular. This is one of the safest ways to radically change your appearance and surprise others.
What are scleral lenses?
Scleral lenses are those that have a larger diameter than conventional lenses. Their main feature is that they rest on the sclera of the eye, and not on the cornea, like standard contact options. In simple terms, scleral lenses cover the entire surface of the eye.
They appeared earlier than the usual corneal ones. And initially they were used to treat keratoconus. This is a pathology in which the cornea of the eye changes and takes the form of a cone. Scleral lenses, due to their design, help straighten the cornea and thus correct vision.
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Such lenses come in several types, which differ in diameter:
- Full scleral - diameter from 1.8 to 2.4 cm.
- Miniscleral - diameter from 1.5 to 1.8 cm.
- Semi-scleral - diameter from 1.3 to 1.5 cm.
- Corneoscleral - diameter from 1.2 to 1.3 cm.
These lenses are made of a special elastic material, which allows you to wear them for several days without removing them, without harm to your he alth.
History of Appearance
Today, scleral vision correction is considered an innovative method of treatment, although in fact these lenses have a long history. For the first time they are mentioned in the 19th century. Then a device for correcting vision was made of glass according to a cast from the eye. In the 20th century, scleral lenses with diopters began to be made from polymethyl methacrylate. But such lenses, like glass lenses, did not let oxygen through, so they harmed he alth more than corrected vision. In this regard, the use of scleral lenses was suspended until the 70s. Then the first oxygen-permeable models were created. In 2008, a fundamentally new technology for manufacturing this type of lens appeared, and in 2014 this technology was patented.
What is treated with these lenses?
Lenses for the whole eye (scleral lenses) are, first of all, a device for correcting vision. In addition, they are used for such diseases and deviations as:
- Ectasia of the corneaeyes.
- Sensitivity to light (after injury).
- Microphthalmia.
- Dry eye syndrome.
- Aniridia (absence of the iris).
- Proliferation of the cornea (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
- Eye aberration.
- Chemical and thermal eye burns.
- Problems after laser vision correction.
- Problems after operations.
In addition, scleral lenses are used in various ophthalmic experiments. Such studies are popular in psychology and in the study of the visual system.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage of such lenses is the material from which they are made - polymacon. It is highly elastic yet strong, as well as safe and durable. The positive aspects can also be attributed to:
- Elastic - these lenses can be worn without removing for several days, they are harmless to the sclera and cornea of the eye.
- The presence of through pores - thanks to this, scleral lenses perfectly pass oxygen and thus corneal edema can be avoided. Other lenses cannot boast this property.
- Strength and rigidity of the material - the lenses are protected from mechanical damage, and it is very easy to care for them. They can be worn for several years.
- Material safety for eye he alth.
- The shape and size of scleral lenses can be changed depending on the preferences of the individual without harm to he alth.
Today similar productsused not only for medicinal purposes. Among young people, white scleral lenses are now very popular. With their help, you can give your image a mystery and originality. Pupilless scleral lenses are also often used by young people to stand out from the rest and create a unique look.
Among the shortcomings of such models, first of all, one can single out their cost. One pair of scleral lenses costs at least 3 thousand rubles, so not everyone can afford them. In addition, such lenses cannot be bought at a pharmacy. They are made for each individual, taking into account the shape of the eyes and sclera.
How to choose the right one?
Before buying scleral lenses, you need to be prepared for the fact that their selection is a long and difficult task. Cheap Chinese analogues can cause the development of many diseases (hypoxia and corneal edema, vascular ingrowth, and many others). Therefore, it is better to purchase such a problematic item on order. However, lenses can take up to 4 months to complete, so please be patient.
The lens manufacturing process consists of the following steps:
- The parameters of your cornea are measured.
- The initial set of scleral lenses is created, which will then be adjusted to the structure of your eyes.
- Approbation stage. You will need to wear a trial pair of lenses under medical supervision for several weeks.
- Final fitting stage. At this stage, the lenses are painted in the desired color. If you have themmedicinal, then they are left transparent.
One more thing to note. Black scleral lenses come in a variety of styles:
- Diameter 20-24 mm - they completely cover the sclera and make the eye black.
- Diameter up to 18 mm - in this case, the cornea is contrasted.
- Diameter 13-15mm are semi-scleral lenses.
Never order scleral lenses online. Be sure to consult with an ophthalmologist to determine the parameters of your cornea and sclera. Remember that even as an accessory for actors, these lenses are made to order.
There are times when even the right lenses can be uncomfortable. To avoid this, it is important to learn how to put them on and take them off.
How to put on scleral lenses?
Properly fitted lenses can be put on in about 20 seconds. But there are a few things to consider.
First, you need to learn to distinguish the front side from its "wrong side". If you put on the lens incorrectly, it will not hold and cause severe pain. A properly inverted lens looks like a bowl with a convex base and edges looking up. An incorrectly turned accessory looks like a saucer with a flat bottom and smooth edges.
Lenses should only be put on after you have finished your makeup. If you do the opposite, then particles of cosmetics can get on the lens and provoke irritation. The next day, you are guaranteed to get swollen, reddened eyes.
Use only makeup that has an eye on it. This is a guarantee that the product will not damage the lenses.
Before putting on, you need to drip eye drops with special drops and wash your hands thoroughly. It is better to wipe them with a napkin, not a towel, so that there are no lint left on your hands. If washing your hands is not possible, use a germicidal wipe and disinfectant.
Algorithm for putting on scleral lenses:
- Take the lens out of the container and place it face down on the pad of your index finger.
- The lower eyelid should be pulled back with the thumb of the hand in which you hold the lens.
- Raise the upper eyelid with the index finger of the other hand.
- Apply the lens to the surface of the sclera so that the edges lie along the line of the drawn eyelid. If you did everything right, then there will be no discomfort.
How to remove lenses correctly?
Removing lenses is even easier than putting them on. To begin with, we must not forget that you need to thoroughly wash your hands. Then, with the index finger of the left hand, it is necessary to pull the lower eyelid and release the lens from below. With the other hand, you need to carefully take the lens and pull it down. After pulling it out, place it in a container and close it. The container itself can be shaken to clean the lenses.
Some care features
Scleral lenses are cleaned using the same solution as regular lenses. They must be stored in a special container.
For deep cleaning of lenses, you need tocontainer, pour the solution and add a protein tablet. In 12 hours, in this way, any product can be completely cleaned of all contaminants.
Never wash scleral lenses under running water. So you can introduce bacteria and provoke the development of allergies. Change lens solution regularly and do not use after the expiration date.
Remember that scleral lenses are not just a party accessory. They are used to solve various he alth problems, so they need to be treated responsibly. They should only be made to order to avoid discomfort, allergic reactions and other side effects.
