Scleral lenses are large-diameter rigid gas-permeable contact lenses that arch completely over the cornea without touching it, resting instead on the sclera — the white of the eye. The dome traps a cushion of sterile fluid against the eye, which both masks an irregular corneal surface to give crisp vision and continuously hydrates the eye. They are a leading option for keratoconus, irregular or scarred corneas, and severe dry eye. At our partner clinics, scleral lens fitting starts from £950 per eye, including the assessment, diagnostic fitting, your first custom lens and aftercare.
What are scleral lenses?
Unlike ordinary contact lenses that sit directly on the cornea, a scleral lens is wider — typically 15 to 18mm — and is designed to clear the cornea entirely. Because it lands on the much less sensitive sclera and floats the cornea on a layer of fluid, many people find scleral lenses surprisingly comfortable, even when standard lenses were impossible to tolerate.
That fluid reservoir is the key to how they work. Over a misshapen cornea — as in keratoconus — the smooth front surface of the lens replaces the distorted surface of the eye, sharpening vision dramatically. Over a dry, damaged ocular surface, the reservoir acts like a permanent bath of tears, protecting and soothing the cornea throughout the day.
Signs scleral lenses might help you
- Glasses no longer give clear vision — common once keratoconus or an irregular cornea has advanced.
- Soft or standard rigid lenses won't stay in or feel comfortable on a cone-shaped cornea.
- Persistent, severe dry eye that drops and other treatments haven't controlled.
- An irregular surface after a corneal graft, LASIK or injury that distorts vision.
- Eye-surface conditions such as severe ocular surface disease, exposure or graft-versus-host disease.
Struggling with vision or comfort no lens has fixed? A specialist scleral lens assessment maps your eye in detail and trials a lens on the day.
Book a scleral lens assessmentWho scleral lenses help
Scleral lenses are fitted for both vision and comfort. Your specialist will confirm which problem we are solving — sharpening vision, protecting the surface, or both — and tailor the lens accordingly.
Scleral lenses correct vision but do not stop keratoconus from progressing. If your cornea is still changing, your consultant may recommend corneal cross-linking to stabilise it first, and surgical options such as Intacs corneal ring segments, CTAK corneal tissue addition or, in advanced cases, a DALK corneal transplant. For dry eye, lenses are often combined with treatments such as LipiFlow, IPL or Miebo drops.
The scleral lens fitting process
Fitting a scleral lens is a precise, individual process — every lens is made for one eye. It usually takes two to three visits to get the fit and vision exactly right.
- Detailed assessment — we examine the eye surface and map the cornea and sclera with topography and OCT scans.
- Diagnostic trial lenses — trial lenses are applied and the vault over the cornea is checked so the lens clears it without touching.
- Over-refraction — with the trial lens in place, we fine-tune the prescription for the sharpest possible vision.
- Custom manufacture — your bespoke lens is made to the exact measurements of your eye.
- Collection & training — you are taught to fill, insert, remove and care for the lens before taking it home.
Wearing & caring for your lenses
There is no surgery and no downtime — the “recovery” is simply learning to handle the lenses and building up your wearing time. Most people are confident within a week or two.
Day one
You learn to fill the lens with sterile saline and insert it without trapping bubbles, then remove it safely. Practice makes it quick.
First week
Build up wearing time gradually. Handling becomes second nature and comfortable wear extends through the day.
Weeks 2–4
Comfortable all-day wear, typically 12–16 hours. A review confirms the fit, vision and eye health, with fine adjustments if needed.
Ongoing
Reviews every 6–12 months. Lenses are usually replaced every 1–2 years, or sooner if your prescription or cornea changes.
Cost & what's included
Scleral lens fitting is a specialist service, and our pricing is all-inclusive of the fitting work, not just the lens itself.
- Per eye: from £950, including the specialist assessment, corneal scans, diagnostic fitting, your first custom lens and aftercare reviews.
- Both eyes: from £1,800 when fitted together.
- Replacement lenses: from £350 per lens once you are established, when a lens is due to be renewed.
- Insurance: some policies contribute towards medically necessary contact lenses — we can provide documentation.
See our full price list for related cornea and dry eye treatments.