Scleral Lens Fitting Specialist — 5,000+ Scleral Lens Fits
Most clinics see 10 keratoconus patients a year. We’ve treated 5,000+. Same-week appointments near you.
Who Scleral Lenses Help
Scleral contact lenses are custom-fitted rigid lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the white of the eye. They restore sharp, comfortable vision when glasses, soft contacts, or RGP lenses no longer work. Dr. Alexander Bonakdar has fitted scleral lenses for over 35 years — more than 5,000 fits — for patients with:
- ✓Keratoconus & corneal ectasia — the cone-shaped cornea that blurs and distorts vision
- ✓Severe dry eye & Sjögren's — the saline reservoir bathes the eye all day
- ✓Post-LASIK, RK or PRK irregularity — smooths the optical surface surgery left behind
- ✓Corneal transplant & pellucid marginal degeneration — vaults over grafts and irregular shapes
- ✓RGP or soft-lens intolerance — lenses that don't pop out, scratch, or dry out
Many of our patients were told they had no options left. At Keratoconus Vision Center in Santa Ana, scleral lens fitting is what we do every day — not a side service.
Why Patients Choose Scleral Contact Lenses
- Sharp vision when glasses and soft contacts can't correct it
- Non-surgical — nothing touches the cornea
- All-day comfort, even for dry or sensitive eyes
- Corneal topography and scleral profilometry for a precise fit
- Same-week fitting appointments
- VSP, EyeMed and all PPO plans accepted, plus 0% financing
- Free scleral lens starter kit and insertion training
How Scleral Lenses Work
Scleral lenses are large-diameter rigid lenses that vault completely over the irregular cornea without touching it. Instead of resting on the cornea like a standard contact, a scleral lens lands on the white of the eye (the sclera).
The space between the lens and the cornea fills with a reservoir of preservative-free saline. This fluid layer fills in every irregularity of a keratoconus cornea, creating a perfectly smooth optical surface. Light then focuses cleanly — which is why scleral lenses deliver sharp vision that glasses and soft contacts simply cannot.
Because nothing presses on the sensitive cone, most patients find scleral lenses remarkably comfortable — even those who could never tolerate other contacts. The same fluid reservoir also continuously bathes the eye, which is why scleral lenses help patients with both keratoconus and severe dry eye.
Scleral Lenses vs. Regular Contacts
- ✓Fit: Vault over the cornea vs. rest directly on it
- ✓Vision: Smooth optical surface corrects irregular astigmatism
- ✓Comfort: No pressure on the cone — comfortable all day
- ✓Dry eye: Fluid reservoir bathes the eye continuously
- ✓Stability: Large diameter means lenses don't pop out or dislodge
Curious about cost and coverage? See our scleral lenses cost guide.
Are Scleral Lenses Right for You?
Good Candidates
- ✓ Keratoconus, ectasia, or an irregular cornea
- ✓ Severe dry eye that drops and plugs haven't fixed
- ✓ Blurry vision after LASIK, RK, PRK or a corneal transplant
- ✓ Soft or RGP contacts are uncomfortable or pop out
- ✓ Glare, halos, or ghosting that glasses can't correct
Note: Even if you've been told you are a "difficult fit," our specialized technology can often help.
The Scleral Lens Fitting Process
Most patients are fitted in two to three visits.
Corneal Mapping & Evaluation
Corneal topography and a detailed eye exam to measure the exact shape of your cornea and sclera.
Lens Design
We choose the scleral lens diameter, vault and material for your eye — keratoconus, dry eye, post-surgical or transplant.
Diagnostic Fitting & Trial
You try diagnostic scleral lenses in the office; we refine the fit until vision and comfort are right.
Dispense & Follow-Up
Insertion and removal training, then follow-up visits to fine-tune the lenses and protect long-term eye health.
See the Difference
Experience how scleral lenses can turn distorted, irregular-cornea vision into clear sight using our interactive simulator.
Patient education · English
Scleral Lenses Explained: Fit, Fluid & Vision
See how scleral contact lenses vault the cornea, hold a fluid reservoir and are individually fitted for irregular corneas and severe dry eye.
Read the video transcript
Scleral Lenses. A lens that vaults the cornea.
At Eyecare Center of Orange County, Dr. Alexander Bonakdar has cared for patients for more than three decades. Trained at Bascom Palmer, board certified, and trusted by more than ten thousand Orange County patients since nineteen ninety one.
A scleral lens is larger than an ordinary contact lens. It rests on the white of the eye rather than on the cornea itself.
That leaves a space underneath, which holds sterile fluid against the surface of your eye all day long.
For an irregular cornea, the lens and the fluid together create a smooth new surface for light to pass through, which can restore vision glasses cannot.
Because the eye stays in constant contact with fluid, scleral lenses are also valuable for severe dry eye.
The gap under the lens has to be right, and we measure it rather than estimate it. Our anterior segment scan takes a cross section straight through the lens and your cornea, and shows us the exact clearance. That is why a well fitted scleral lens usually feels like nothing at all.
Ask us whether a scleral lens would help. They are fitted individually and measured precisely, and most people find them far more comfortable than they expect.
Insurance Plans We Accept
We work with most major vision and medical insurance providers to maximize your benefits.
Vision Plans
- VSP (Vision Service Plan)
- EyeMed
- Davis Vision
- Spectera
- Superior Vision
- Avesis
Medical Plans
- Medicare
- Blue Shield of California
- Anthem Blue Cross
- United Healthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- Tricare
*Medical insurance is often used for medically necessary contact lenses.
CareCredit Financing
Make keratoconus treatment affordable with CareCredit. We offer 0% interest financing for 6- and 12-month plans on scleral lens fittings and other treatments. Apply in minutes — no impact to your credit score to check eligibility.
Scleral Lens FAQs
Common questions about scleral lens fitting, keratoconus, dry eye, post-surgical eyes, cost and insurance.
Start Your Journey
If other lenses have failed you, scleral lenses are usually the answer. Schedule your scleral lens consultation with Dr. Bonakdar today.