Tuesday Tips for ECPs

Tuesday Tips for ECPs is a blog for optometrists fitting scleral lenses - but written from the patient's perspective. Today's post relates to the training and instructions new scleral lens users need for success and safety in lens adaptation. Mistake #1. Failure to use appropriate application and removal techniques PROBLEM: Application and removal is not always a slam dunk. In a survey of 358 patients we ran in November 2018 about scleral lens application, half of the patients reported mastering the application technique in two weeks or fewer, but 39% required 4 weeks or more and 18% required 8 weeks or more...

Scleral lenses are complicated for patients in many ways, and the adaptation period can be long and frustrating. We patients need careful training, written instructions, and full support to be safe and successful in sclerals.

Floppy Eyelid Syndrome I've had hundreds of conversations over the years with FES patients looking for a solution that will protect their eyes while they sleep. They come in many shapes and forms, but the "classic" case is the 50+ male with lax eyelids who sleeps on his side or stomach, and his corneas are anything from irritated to ulcerated from rubbing on the pillowcase. Usually, by the time they get to me, they've tried ointments, maybe tape, maybe a sleep mask, and nothing's working. Today's tip is all about my experiences of what tools work (or don't) and why....

Air travel with scleral lenses? Yes, but... It's harder for us patients than you think! Sclerals are so much more involved than conventional contact lenses.  And for us scleral lens users, we're faced with a conundrum: We NEED our lenses just to navigate the airports, or to keep our eyes safe and comfortable in flight, but figuring out all the details, from handling our lenses in public places to bringing all the solutions we need for trip, can be intimidating. So many questions! "I've heard I can't take hydrogen peroxide. What can I use instead?" "I can't imagine trying to take my...