What the numbers show
Published data on this is limited, but one study gives a useful picture. In an international survey, scleral lens fitters each described one of their patients, covering 259 patients in all. During fitting, an average of 2.4 lenses were ordered per patient, over an average of 3.8 visits. The range was wide: from 1 to 16 lenses, and from 1 to 18 visits.[1]
So if you’re on your second or third lens, you’re in the typical range. If you’re well past that, you’re not unheard of, but it’s fair to ask what’s going on. The survey covered many kinds of eyes, and most were fitted for an irregular cornea,[1] so it can’t tell you what’s typical for your specific condition. Your fitter can.
Why lenses get remade
Each lens is a test run. Common reasons for a remake:
- Comfort at the edge, such as pressure in one area or edge awareness. See is my lens too tight?
- The fluid layer after settling: too little clearance over the cornea, or too much.
- Vision: the prescription needs fine-tuning once the lens has settled. See what is an over-refraction?
- Position: the lens decenters or rotates.
- Fogging that changes in the fit might reduce.
A good remake has a specific reason, and you should be able to ask what it is.
When many remakes mean a change of course
Wearers describe a point where lenses keep coming back with small changes and nothing really improves. That’s the time to step back and ask:
- Is the design the limit? Some eyes do better with a lens designed from a scan or an impression of the eye, a different lens system, or a different size. See impression-based, scan-based, PROSE or standard.
- Is something other than the fit involved? Dry eye, lid disease, solution sensitivity, and nerve pain can all cause problems that no remake fixes. See my fitter says the fit is perfect.
- Is it the fitter? Scleral lens experience varies. A second opinion from a fitter who sees many complex eyes is a reasonable step. See finding a scleral lens specialist.
What wearers say
Wearers’ experiences cover the whole range. Some got a comfortable lens on the first or second try. Many describe needing a handful of pairs. A smaller group went through many more lenses, sometimes over most of a year, and some of those eventually succeeded after changing to a different design or fitter. Several say the process was worth it in the end; others describe the frustration and fatigue of repeated attempts honestly, and that’s worth acknowledging too.
A few practical lessons come up again and again: try each new lens promptly, keep notes, and ask about the window before it closes. Some wearers found a lens-free day or two before new measurements helped, but ask your fitter before going without your lenses if you rely on them.
How remake windows and warranties work
Details vary by practice, lab, and lens brand, so treat this as a list of questions rather than rules.
- Fitting or exchange window. Many labs allow remakes or exchanges for fit and prescription during a set period at no extra lens charge. When it starts, how long it lasts, and whether it restarts with each new lens all vary.
- Limits on remakes. Some practices include a set number; others don’t limit them within the window. Impression-based lenses may have their own rules.
- Breakage warranty. Separate from fitting, some lenses are covered against breakage for a period. Keep the pieces of a broken lens, since some warranties ask for them.
- Refunds. Lens credits and professional fees are usually separate. Ask what you’d get back if the fitting doesn’t succeed.
- Lab delays. Slow turnaround can use up the window. See how long does it take to get scleral lenses?
For cost and coverage, see how much do scleral lenses cost?
What to ask your fitter
- “What are you changing in this lens, and what should I notice?”
- “How long is my remake window, when did it start, and does it restart with each lens?”
- “If this doesn’t work, what’s the next approach?”
- “At what point would you suggest a different design or another specialist?”
When it’s not normal
New lenses during a fitting can feel unfamiliar, but some symptoms need attention that day.
Common questions
Does a remake mean my fitter got it wrong?
No. A scleral lens is designed from measurements, then tested on your eye over real days of wear, and that often reveals something to adjust: comfort at the edge, the amount of fluid after settling, or the prescription. A remake with a clear reason is the process working.
My remake window is about to end and the lenses still aren't right. What can I do?
Tell your fitter before it ends. Wearers report that some labs and practices will extend the window, especially when lab delays used up the time. Ask in writing, and ask whether the next lens can be expedited.
Can I get my money back if scleral lenses don't work for me?
It depends on the practice. Lenses returned within a lab's exchange window may be credited, but the professional fees for the fitting visits usually aren't refunded, because that time was spent. Ask how refunds work before you start, and see our cost and insurance pages for what's typically billed.
Should I wait to try the next lens until I feel up to it?
Try to keep going promptly. Wearers who put off trying a new lens sometimes found the exchange window had closed by the time they discovered it didn't fit.