[Bringing back scleral contact lenses].

PURPOSE: Although old generations of scleral contact lenses were totally replaced by soft and hard contact lenses, new designs and materials have recently allowed the successful use of nonfenestrated scleral contact lenses in patients who are intolerant to regular contact lenses. These new scleral contact lenses form a bridge over the cornea, which is thus permanently bathed in a saline reservoir.

METHODS

Retrospective study in patients suffering from corneal diseases altering the vision and/or responsible for ocular discomfort, and who are intolerant to conventional contact lenses.

RESULTS

Fifteen eyes (10 patients) were fitted with specially designed scleral contact lenses. The mean follow-up was 16 months (range, 1-31 months). The scleral lenses were indicated for optical and/or therapeutic reasons: keratoconus (3 eyes), corneal grafts (7 eyes), refractive surgery (2 eyes), corneal dysplasia (2 eyes), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (1 eye). Optical results and tolerance were excellent except for one eye.

CONCLUSION

New nonfenestrated scleral contact lenses provide a good alternative for patients who are intolerant to conventional contact lenses.