Dry air and cold winds can make winter miserable for people with dry eye. At Mill Creek Vision, we use scleral lenses to help patients across South Snohomish and North King County find long-lasting comfort.
If your eyes feel gritty, tired, or overly sensitive during the colder months, you’re not alone. Washington’s winter air pulls moisture from your skin and eyes — especially indoors, where heaters dry out the air even more. Combine that with hours spent in front of screens and you’ve got the perfect recipe for dry, irritated eyes.
At Mill Creek Vision, we’ve seen how winter hits our patients differently. Some have mild discomfort. Others struggle to keep their eyes open by the afternoon. For those with chronic dry eye, the colder months can make even simple tasks feel exhausting.
Dry eye isn’t just uncomfortable — it can impact your vision, increase your risk of infection, and interfere with contact lens wear. And while eye drops might help for a few minutes, they don’t get to the root of the problem. That’s where scleral lenses come in.
What Makes Scleral Lenses So Effective for Dry Eye?
Scleral lenses aren’t your average contact lenses. They’re larger, custom-made, and designed to rest gently on the white part of your eye (the sclera), creating a sealed pocket that holds a layer of fluid over your cornea. That fluid cushion acts like a built-in moisturizer that stays with you all day.
Compared to traditional soft lenses, scleral lenses:
- Keep the eye surface constantly hydrated
- Reduce irritation from wind, heaters, and screens
- Fit comfortably without touching sensitive corneal tissue
- Provide clearer, more stable vision
- Protect against environmental triggers, including allergens and cold air
More Than Moisture: Long-Term Relief for Chronic Dry Eye
Many of our dry eye patients have tried it all: artificial tears, humidifiers, warm compresses — and still find themselves uncomfortable. Scleral lenses are different because they act as both a shield and a support system for healing. By reducing friction, locking in hydration, and minimizing exposure to irritants, they give the eyes a chance to recover from chronic dryness.
They're especially helpful for patients with:
- Moderate to severe dry eye disease
- Ocular surface disease or damage
- Graft-versus-host disease
- Sjögren's syndrome
- Previous LASIK or corneal surgery
- High sensitivity to wind and dry air
We fit each scleral lens with precision. Using the latest tools and imaging technology, our eye care team makes sure your lenses feel comfortable and perform well. And since scleral lenses can also improve vision for those with irregular corneas or previous surgeries, you may get more than just comfort — you may see better too.
Scleral Lenses in Mill Creek: Your Winter Dry Eye Solution
Mill Creek Vision has been a trusted source of dry eye care for decades. Our optometrists are trained in advanced scleral lens fittings and dry eye treatments, including OptiLight by Lumenis. We’re one of the few practices in the North King and South Snohomish area offering a full suite of options for patients with chronic dry eye.
If you're tired of red, burning, or gritty eyes this time of year, don't just live with it. Come in for a consultation and ask if scleral lenses could be the solution you've been missing.
Book a dry eye appointment to see if scleral lenses are right for your winter dry eye relief.
