Youth is such a time when you really want to stand out from the crowd and draw attention to yourself. 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 lenses that have a larger diameter than conventional lenses. Their main feature is that they rely on the sclera of the eye, and not on the cornea, as standard contact options. In simple terms, scleral lenses cover the entire surface of the eye.
They appeared earlier than the usual corneal. 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 structure, help to straighten the cornea and, thus, correct vision.
Kinds
Such lenses come in several forms, which vary in diameter:
- Full scleral - diameter from 1.8 to 2.4 cm.
- Mini-scleral - diameter from 1.5 to 1.8 cm.
- Semiscleral - diameter from 1.3 to 1.5 cm.
- Corneoscleral - diameter from 1.2 to 1.3 cm.
Such lenses are made of a special elastic material, which allows you to wear them for several days, without removing, without harm to health.
Appearance story
Today, scleral vision correction is considered an innovative treatment, although in fact these lenses have a long history. The first mention of them was found in the 19th century. Then the device for correcting vision was made of glass according to an impression from the eye. In the 20th century, scleral lenses with diopters were made from polymethyl methacrylate. But such lenses, like glass ones, did not allow oxygen to pass through, so they were more harmful to health 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 the manufacture of this type of lenses appeared, and in 2014 this technology was patented.
What is treated with such lenses?
Lenses for the whole eye (scleral lenses) are, first of all, a device for correcting vision. In addition, they are used for diseases and abnormalities, such as:
- Ectasia of the cornea.
- Sensitivity to light (after injury).
- Microphthalmia.
- Dry eye syndrome.
- Aniridia (absence of the iris).
- Corneal overgrowth (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
- Aberration of the eye.
- 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 very flexible, but at the same time durable, as well as safe and durable. The positive aspects can also include:
- Elasticity - these lenses can be worn without taking off 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 allow oxygen to pass through and thus corneal edema can be avoided. Other lenses cannot boast of such a 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 health.
- The shape and size of scleral lenses can vary depending on the preferences of a person without harm to health.
Today, such products are used not only for medicinal purposes. White scleral lenses are very popular among young people. With their help, you can give your image a mystery and originality. Scleral lenses without pupils are also often used by young people to stand out from the rest and create a unique, unique image.
Among the shortcomings of such models, first of all, their cost can be distinguished. 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 the pharmacy. They are made for each individually, 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 counterparts can cause the development of many diseases (hypoxia and edema of the cornea, vascular ingrowth, and many others). Therefore, it is better to purchase such a problematic thing on order. However, the manufacture of lenses can last up to 4 months, so you should be patient.
The lens manufacturing process consists of the following steps:
- The parameters of your cornea are measured.
- An initial set of scleral lenses is created, which will then be adjusted to fit your eyes.
- Testing phase. For several weeks you need to wear a test pair of lenses under the supervision of a doctor.
- Stage of final fitting. At this stage, the lenses are painted in the desired color. If you have them medicinal, then they are left transparent.
One more point should be noted. Black scleral lenses come in many forms:
- 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 13-15 mm are semi-scleral lenses.
In no case do not order scleral lenses on the Internet. Be sure to consult with an ophthalmologist to determine the parameters of your cornea and sclera. Remember that even as an accessory for actors, such lenses are made to order.
There are times when even properly selected lenses can cause discomfort. To avoid this, it is important to learn how to put them on and take off.
How to wear scleral lenses?
Properly selected lenses can be worn in about 20 seconds. But there are a few points to consider.
First, you need to learn how to distinguish the front side from its “inside out”. If you put on the lens incorrectly, then it will not hold and cause severe pain. A properly turned lens looks like a bowl with a convex base and upward-looking edges. An improperly turned accessory looks like a saucer with a flat bottom and even edges.
Only wear lenses after you have finished your makeup. If you do the opposite, then particles of makeup can get on the lens and cause irritation. The next day, you are guaranteed to get swollen reddened eyes.
Use only the makeup on which the eye is painted. This is a guarantee that the product will not damage the lens.
Before putting on, it is necessary to instill eyes with special drops and wash your hands thoroughly. It is better to wipe them with a napkin, rather than a towel, so that there are no lint on the hands. If you can’t wash your hands, use a bactericidal cloth and disinfectant.
Algorithm for putting on scleral lenses:
- Take the lens out of the container and place it face down on the index finger pad.
- The lower eyelid should be pulled with the thumb of the hand in which you have a lens.
- Raise the upper eyelid with the index finger of the other hand.
- We 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?
Removing lenses is even easier than putting on. To begin with, we must not forget that you need to wash your hands thoroughly. Then, with the forefinger of the left hand, the lower eyelid must be pulled back and the lens released from below. With the other hand you need to gently take the lens and pull it down. After pulling it out, place it in a container and close. The container itself can be shaken to clean the lenses.
Some features of care
For cleaning scleral lenses, the same solution is used as for conventional lenses. They must be stored in a special container.
For deep cleaning of the lenses, you need to pour a solution into the container and add a tablet of protein. In 12 hours, this way you can completely clean any product from all contaminants.
Never rinse scleral lenses under running water. So you can bring bacteria and provoke the development of allergies. Change the lens solution regularly and do not use it after the expiration date.
Remember that scleral lenses are not just an accessory for parties. They are used to solve various health problems, so you need to treat them with responsibility. They need to be made only to order to avoid discomfort, allergic reactions and other side effects.