If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with keratoconus, you may already know how frustrating and limiting traditional glasses and contacts can be. Blurry, distorted vision. Poor night driving. Eye fatigue. These are just a few of the symptoms people with keratoconus face—often despite wearing prescription lenses.
At Antoine Eye Care, located inside LensCrafters at the St. Louis Galleria, we offer a highly effective solution that helps many patients reclaim their vision and independence: scleral lenses.
What Are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are a special type of rigid gas-permeable contact lens designed to vault completely over the cornea and rest on the sclera—the white part of the eye. This creates a smooth optical surface that masks the irregularities caused by keratoconus and dramatically improves visual clarity.
According to Dr. Michael Antoine, “Scleral lenses are like a second corneal surface. They cover the entire irregularity and create a more stable environment for light to enter the eye correctly.”
Why Glasses and Soft Contacts Often Fall Short
With keratoconus, the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped over time, making it difficult for traditional vision correction methods to provide clear sight.
- Glasses only correct basic refractive errors and don’t address corneal irregularity.
- Soft contact lenses conform to the cornea’s shape—meaning they follow the distortion rather than correct it.
- Rigid gas-permeable lenses, while better than soft lenses, are often too small to fully cover the affected area and can be uncomfortable.
That’s why patients with moderate to advanced keratoconus often continue to struggle with vision, even with a current prescription.
How Scleral Lenses Help
Scleral lenses work by creating a tear-filled vault over the cornea, effectively smoothing out the eye’s surface and correcting for the distortion that keratoconus causes. This helps patients:
- See clearly at all distances
- Drive safely—especially at night
- Reduce glare and visual “ghosting”
- Maintain stable vision throughout the day
These lenses are especially valuable for people like our 28-year-old software engineer persona—someone with progressive keratoconus in both eyes, who finds traditional contacts painful and is desperate to function comfortably at work.
A Lifeline for People with Keratoconus
Dr. Antoine emphasizes that for many patients, scleral lenses are more than just another vision correction option—they’re a life-changer.
“Most people with keratoconus have never met anyone else with the condition. They’ve been told to try glasses or regular contacts by friends who don’t understand what they’re going through. But when they try scleral lenses and actually see clearly—often for the first time in years—it’s incredibly emotional.”
What to Expect from a Scleral Lens Fitting
At Antoine Eye Care, our team is certified in advanced contact lens fittings, including scleral lenses. We take a step-by-step approach:
- Comprehensive eye exam to confirm your diagnosis and assess your corneal shape
- Custom lens selection using in-office diagnostic lenses
- Trial fitting to ensure comfort and optimal vision
- Training and support so you can insert, remove, and care for your lenses confidently
Even if you’ve never worn contacts before, you’re not alone—many of our scleral lens patients are new to contacts altogether.
Ready to See the Difference?
If you’ve been struggling with distorted vision due to keratoconus, there’s hope. Scleral lenses can help restore your vision, protect your cornea, and give you the clarity and confidence you’ve been missing.
Book a consultation at Antoine Eye Care today—located inside LensCrafters at the St. Louis Galleria. Let’s find the solution that finally works for you.
Call: 314-375-2255
Visit: Antoine Eye Care inside LensCrafters, St. Louis Galleria
Because when it comes to keratoconus, seeing clearly is more than possible—it’s achievable.