Specialty (Scleral) Contact Lenses in Greensboro, NC

Advanced Vision Solutions with Dr. Charlotte Ablott at New Garden Eye Care

If you have been told that glasses or traditional contact lenses cannot correct your vision, you are not alone. Many patients with complex eye conditions struggle for years with blurred vision, discomfort, or dryness before discovering that specialty contact lenses may be the solution.

At New Garden Eye Care in Greensboro, North Carolina, Dr. Charlotte Ablott specializes in fitting advanced specialty contact lenses, including scleral contact lenses, for patients with challenging vision and eye health conditions. These lenses often provide life-changing improvements in both vision and comfort when other options have failed.

What Are Specialty (Scleral) Contact Lenses?

Scleral contact lenses are large-diameter, rigid gas permeable lenses designed to vault completely over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye). Unlike standard soft contact lenses, scleral lenses do not sit directly on the cornea.

Instead, scleral lenses create a fluid reservoir of sterile saline between the lens and the eye. This fluid layer serves two critical purposes:

1. Optical correction for irregular or distorted corneas

2. Continuous hydration and protection of the ocular surface

Because of this unique design, scleral lenses are considered one of the most advanced tools in modern optometry for treating complex corneal and ocular surface disease.

Conditions Specialty and Scleral Contact Lenses Can Treat

Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia

Scleral lenses are widely regarded as the gold standard contact lens option for keratoconus. Keratoconus causes thinning and bulging of the cornea, resulting in distorted vision that glasses and soft lenses often cannot correct.

By vaulting over the irregular cornea, scleral lenses create a smooth optical surface that dramatically improves visual clarity. Patients with pellucid marginal degeneration, post-LASIK ectasia, or other corneal ectatic disorders often experience significant improvement in both vision and quality of life.

Severe Dry Eye Disease

Patients with chronic dry eye often struggle with fluctuating vision, burning, irritation, and contact lens intolerance. Because scleral lenses bathe the cornea in saline all day, they provide constant hydration and protection.

Scleral lenses are frequently used for patients with:

• Severe dry eye syndrome

• Sjögren’s syndrome

• Ocular surface disease

• Neurotrophic corneas

• Exposure keratopathy

Many patients describe scleral lenses as the first time their eyes have felt comfortable in years.

Irregular Corneas and Corneal Scarring

Corneal scarring from injury, infection, or disease can cause significant visual distortion. Specialty scleral lenses mask these irregularities by creating a uniform refractive surface, often restoring functional vision even in complex cases.

Post-Surgical Vision Rehabilitation

Patients who have undergone corneal transplants, radial keratotomy (RK), or complicated refractive surgery may be left with irregular astigmatism or poor visual quality. Scleral lenses are commonly used to rehabilitate vision when glasses or standard contacts fail.

Contact Lens Intolerance

Some patients simply cannot tolerate traditional contact lenses due to dryness, instability, or discomfort. Because scleral lenses rest on less sensitive tissue and remain stable on the eye, many patients who believed they could never wear contacts again find scleral lenses extremely comfortable.

The Specialty Contact Lens Fitting Process

Fitting scleral contact lenses is highly specialized and requires advanced training, technology, and experience. Dr. Charlotte Ablott takes a meticulous, patient-centered approach to each fitting.

The process typically includes:

• Comprehensive specialty contact lens evaluation

• Advanced corneal imaging and measurements

• Diagnostic scleral lens fitting

• Custom lens design and ordering

• One-on-one training for insertion, removal, and care

• Follow-up visits to fine-tune comfort and vision

Because scleral lenses are custom medical devices, the fitting process may take multiple visits. Our goal is not speed, but excellence.

Compassionate, Above-and-Beyond Care

Many patients seeking specialty contact lenses arrive feeling discouraged. They have often been told, “There’s nothing more we can do.”

At New Garden Eye Care, we approach these cases differently.
 

Dr. Charlotte Ablott is deeply passionate about helping patients see as well as possible, even when the situation is complex. She takes the time to listen, educate, and problem-solve with each patient. Specialty contact lens care often requires persistence and refinement, and we are committed to walking that road with you.

Our team believes vision care should be both technically excellent and deeply human.

Why Choose New Garden Eye Care for Specialty Contact Lenses in Greensboro?

Patients across Greensboro and the surrounding Triad choose our practice for specialty contact lens care because of our:

• Expertise in scleral and specialty contact lenses

• Advanced diagnostic and fitting technology

• Experience with medically complex cases

• Personalized, compassionate approach

• Commitment to achieving the best possible outcome

We do not rush fittings, and we do not give up easily. When improvement is possible, we will pursue it with care and precision.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scleral Contact Lenses

Are scleral lenses comfortable?

Yes. Despite their size, most patients find scleral lenses extremely comfortable because they rest on the sclera, which is less sensitive than the cornea.

Are scleral lenses only for severe eye conditions?

No. While commonly used for keratoconus and dry eye disease, scleral lenses can also benefit patients with irregular astigmatism, post-surgical vision issues, or contact lens intolerance.

How long does it take to get used to scleral lenses?

Most patients adapt quickly, though insertion and removal require some training. Our team provides thorough education and support.

Are specialty contact lenses covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by plan and diagnosis. Our staff will help you understand benefits and costs before proceeding.

Schedule a Specialty Contact Lens Consultation

If you have keratoconus, severe dry eye, irregular corneas, or have been told you are not a candidate for traditional contact lenses, specialty scleral contact lenses may be an excellent option.

If you are looking for expert specialty contact lens care in Greensboro, NC, we would be honored to help. Contact New Garden Eye Care today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Charlotte Ablott and take the next step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.