Scleral lenses have been a game-changer for those suffering with irregular corneas such as keratoconus, ectasia, corneal transplants, surgical complications, trauma, scarring and so on providing improved sight to individuals. The introduction of wavefront-guided technology has brought scleral lenses to new heights.
CLEI is proud to have pioneered the integration of wavefront technology into scleral lenses in clinical practice. We performed extensive research and clinical trials with this technology, and we’ve observed firsthand how it can transform the lives of those seeking improved visual clarity. Having presented our results with wavefront-guided scleral lenses on a global scale, Dr. John Gelles is considered a leader in this technology. So, how does it work?
Patients wearing scleral lenses often experience improved visual quality compared to glasses or soft contact lenses, especially those with irregular corneas. However, some individuals may remain dissatisfied due to residual higher-order aberrations not corrected by traditional scleral lenses.
How Residual Aberrations Affect Vision
Patients with residual higher-order aberrations often describe their vision as distorted, blurred, doubled, or smeared. Common complaints include:
- Glare and Halos: Bright lights, such as street lights or headlights at night, may appear to have glowing rings or streaks radiating outward, making night driving challenging.
- Blurred or Double Vision: Despite wearing traditional scleral lenses, objects may appear fuzzy or as if they are doubled or overlapped, reducing overall clarity.
- Starbursts: Light sources might look like they have rays or spikes radiating outward, similar to a firework pattern.
These visual disturbances may persist even when wearing scleral lenses, underscoring the need for wavefront-guided scleral lenses, which specifically target these issues.
The Science Behind Wavefront Technology
Wavefront-guided scleral lenses are designed using advanced wavefront aberrometry, such as the Ovitz or Wavefront Dynamics systems, both available at CLEI. These devices capture precise measurements of the eye’s optical system and map and quantify higher-order aberrations—optical imperfections that standard corrections cannot address—including:
- Coma: a tail or streak stretching in one direction from lights.
- Spherical Aberration: a halo or blur around lights.
- Trefoil: starbursts or small spikes of light radiating from lights.
By incorporating this data, wavefront-guided lenses correct irregularities beyond standard spherocylindrical optics, leading to superior visual outcomes.
How Wavefront-Guided Lenses Are Created
Creating wavefront-guided scleral lenses involves several precise steps:
- Fitting the Traditional Lens: Patients first undergo a fitting with a traditional scleral lens to achieve optimal fit and stability on the eye. The finalized traditional lens must provide proper fit, alignment, and a stable resting position.
- Wavefront Measurement: After wearing the traditional lens for at least three hours to ensure stability, a wavefront aberrometer is used to capture detailed measurements of the patient’s residual aberrations. This process involves imaging the eye under low-light conditions to detect subtle distortions caused by higher-order aberrations.
- Lens Customization: Using the wavefront data, a freeform optical design is generated. This design counteracts the measured aberrations by adding a customized correction to the front surface of the lens. The freeform optical patch is tailored to align with the patient’s pupil and visual axis.
- Precise Manufacturing: The customized design is incorporated into the lens using advanced manufacturing techniques. The wavefront-guided lens retains the same fit and material as the traditional lens but includes the corrective optical elements.
- Finalization and Testing: The wavefront-guided lens is tested on the patient’s eye to ensure it aligns correctly and delivers the intended correction. Further adjustments can be made as needed to optimize performance.
Comparing Wavefront-Guided Scleral Lenses to Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Wavefront-guided scleral lenses can be likened to noise-cancelling headphones. Just as noise-cancelling headphones use technology to counteract unwanted ambient sounds improving the quality of audio, wavefront-guided scleral lenses counteract unwanted residual higher-order aberrations to improve the quality of your vision.
Our recent study published by Gelles et al. in Eye & Contact Lens highlights the use of wavefront-guided scleral lenses to address these issues. Here are the key findings from that study:
Reduction in Higher-Order Aberrations
Wavefront-guided scleral lenses reduced higher-order aberrations by 56%, significantly enhancing the clarity of vision compared to traditional lenses.
Improved Vision
Wavefront-guided scleral lenses improved vision by 1 or more lines in 71% percent of participants, with a maximum improvement of 4 lines.
Patient Preference
17 of 18 participants preferred the wavefront-guided lenses over traditional scleral lenses.
Conclusion
Wavefront-guided scleral lenses represent an exciting innovation in vision correction for patients struggling with residual distortions from traditional scleral lenses. Their ability to deliver sharper vision and improved satisfaction makes them an invaluable option for individuals seeking better outcomes. Consulting an eye care specialist experienced in advanced scleral lens technologies can help patients explore this promising solution. Schedule a consultation at CLEI today to get started.
