Living with diabetes means managing your health with care, and your eyes deserve that same attention. Diabetic patients are more likely to experience corneal changes, dry eye symptoms, and vision fluctuation that can make standard contact lenses uncomfortable or ineffective.
At Mill Creek Vision, we offer scleral lenses for individuals with diabetes as part of our patient-first, medical-grade approach. These custom contact lenses are specifically for complex eyes. They provide comfort, hydration, and consistent clarity for patients who require a solution that fits their unique needs.
Learn how scleral lenses can restore comfort and stability to your vision when diabetes makes traditional contacts harder to wear.
What Are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are large-diameter, gas-permeable contact lenses that rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera), instead of directly on the cornea. This vaulting design creates a fluid reservoir between the lens and the cornea, offering three key benefits:
- A smooth optical surface for irregular or damaged corneas
- Continuous hydration that relieves dry eye discomfort
- Improved lens stability for all-day vision consistency
At Mill Creek Vision, we use advanced diagnostic tools to map the precise shape of your eyes. This allows us to fit scleral lenses that align with your anatomy and address your specific vision challenges.
Why Diabetic Patients Need Specialized Care
Diabetes affects the eyes in more ways than you might expect. High blood sugar levels can damage the retina’s tiny blood vessels, but the front of the eye can also suffer - leading to corneal sensitivity, delayed healing, and increased risk of dry‑eye conditions.
Our eye doctors routinely treat diabetic eye conditions, including those affecting the front of the eye. Many patients with diabetes experience:
- Lens intolerance due to subtle corneal changes
- Fluctuating prescriptions as diabetes impacts refraction or lens fit
- Dryness or irritation that prevent consistent lens wear
In those cases, custom contact lenses for complex eyes, specifically scleral lenses, offer an effective alternative. These lenses bypass corneal irregularities, create a stable optical surface, and reduce the need for repeated prescription changes.
How Scleral Lenses Improve Comfort for Diabetic Patients
Because scleral lenses rest on the sclera rather than the cornea, they avoid direct contact with the most sensitive part of the eye. This is particularly important for patients with diabetic neuropathy or those who experience delayed healing.
The fluid layer beneath the lens reduces surface friction. It protects the eye, offering much-needed relief for patients prone to dryness or irritation.
For many diabetic patients, vision can shift during the day due to blood‑sugar changes, lens fit issues, or corneal swelling. Scleral lenses create a consistent interface between your eye and the lens, minimizing fluctuations in clarity throughout the day. Their stability makes them especially useful for patients who experience prescription swings or lens fit issues.
Even in cases where disease, injury, or previous surgery affects the cornea, scleral lenses offer a clear and dependable alternative to traditional contact lenses.
What to Expect During Your Scleral Lens Fitting
No two eyes are exactly the same, and that’s why a custom scleral lens fitting is so important. Here’s what you can expect during your visit:
- Comprehensive eye exam: We’ll assess your overall eye health, including retinal screening and corneal evaluation
- Advanced diagnostics: We’ll map the surface of your eyes using corneal topography or tomography—advanced imaging that helps us design lenses tailored to your unique eye shape
- Trial fitting: We’ll order a custom lens based on your measurements. You’ll try the lens in‑office to confirm comfort and vision
- Adjustment and training: Our staff will teach you how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses
- Follow‑up care: We schedule follow‑ups to monitor lens fit, ocular surface condition, and your vision outcomes.
Scleral lenses are a long-term investment in your eye health. To get the most from them, we recommend staying on top of your blood sugar management and attending regular eye exams to protect against diabetic eye disease.
Clear, Comfortable Vision Starts Here in Mill Creek
If contact lenses no longer feel comfortable or your vision changes throughout the day, it may be time to consider a more advanced solution.
Mill Creek Vision fits scleral lenses for diabetic patients with complex eye needs. Our team will support you every step of the way, from diagnostics to long-term follow-up care.
Schedule your eye care appointment in Mill Creek, WA, and discover how scleral lenses can restore clarity, improve comfort, and support your long-term eye health.
