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    Question

    Can I wear scleral lenses if I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

    Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects connective tissue throughout the body, including the eyes. There's very little research on scleral lenses in EDS specifically, so here's what is known, what wearers report, and how to plan with your eye team.

    By the Scleral Lens Team · Last reviewed October 2, 2026 · 4 published sources cited

    The short answer

    Some people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) do, and wear scleral lenses for years with good vision. But we found no studies of scleral lenses in EDS specifically, and experiences vary: some wearers do well, while others struggle with eyelid friction or comfort. Tell your fitter which type of EDS you have, mention joint or hand problems that affect handling, and know the warning signs of a retinal tear, which an EDS survey suggests may happen at younger ages.

    Key points

    • There's little research on scleral lenses in EDS. Experiences vary.
    • EDS has many types; tell your fitter which you have.
    • Dry eye and other eye conditions were common in a large EDS survey.
    • Know the warning signs of a retinal tear: new floaters, flashes, a shadow.
    • Brittle cornea syndrome, a rare EDS type, needs a cornea specialist involved.

    EDS and the eyes

    The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a group of inherited conditions that affect connective tissue. The 2017 classification describes 13 types. An unusually large range of joint movement occurs in most forms, and it’s the hallmark of the hypermobile type.[1] One rare type, brittle cornea syndrome, is characterized by a thin cornea and other eye abnormalities.[1]

    Research on EDS and the eyes is limited. The largest recent look is an online survey of 766 people with EDS, most of whom (83.3%) had the hypermobile type.[2] Respondents reported dry eye, strabismus, amblyopia, blue sclera and several other eye conditions more often than population estimates, and myopia was the most common condition.[2] Some conditions, including glaucoma, posterior vitreous detachment, and retinal tear or detachment, were reported at younger ages than expected.[2] Because it was a self-reported online survey, it can’t show how common these problems really are, but it’s a reason to keep up with regular eye exams.

    Scleral lenses in EDS: what we know

    We didn’t find published studies of scleral lens wear in people with EDS. What we have is wearer experience, and it’s mixed:

    • Some do well. At least one wearer with EDS has worn scleral lenses for years, seeing better than with glasses and noticing only mild redness by the end of the day.
    • Some struggle. At least one wearer with hypermobile EDS couldn’t tolerate the lenses because of friction under the eyelids, which was thought to come from loose lids.

    That’s not unusual for scleral lenses generally: fit and comfort are individual. If a first lens isn’t comfortable, it’s worth working through adjustments with an experienced fitter before deciding they aren’t for you. See what if scleral lenses don’t work for me?

    What to tell your fitter

    • Which type of EDS you have, and any eye diagnoses so far.
    • Dry eye symptoms. Dry eye was common in the EDS survey.[2] See dry eyes while wearing sclerals.
    • Loose or easily everted eyelids, and any lid discomfort with lenses.
    • Hand, wrist or finger problems that affect grip, and whether joints sublux. See arthritis and limited dexterity and shaky hands.
    • Past eye surgery, and any problems with healing or pain afterward. In the survey, eye surgery was generally well tolerated, but persistent pain afterward was frequently reported.[2]
    • Easy bruising, if you’ve had red spots on your eyes. See red spot or blood under the lens.

    Handling gently

    Gentle handling matters for everyone, and more so if your tissues bruise easily or your joints are unstable:

    • Use an insertion stand so you don’t have to hold the plunger steady with your fingers.
    • Lubricate the eye before removal so the lens releases without pulling.
    • Don’t pry at the lens edge with a plunger.
    • If your lids are loose, ask your fitter to show you the safest way to hold them.

    Know the retinal warning signs

    The National Eye Institute lists a lot of new floaters, flashes of light, and a dark shadow or curtain over your vision as symptoms of retinal detachment, and says to go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away.[3] It lists extreme nearsightedness and posterior vitreous detachment among the risk factors.[3] Given the survey findings, it’s worth knowing these signs well. See new flashes or floaters.

    What to ask your eye doctor and fitter

    • Does my type of EDS affect my corneas or sclera in a way that matters for lens fitting?
    • Should my corneas, eye pressure or retina be checked more often?
    • Is my lid laxity likely to affect comfort, and can the lens design help?
    • What tools would make handling easier with my joints?

    Common questions

    Does EDS make scleral lenses riskier?

    We couldn't find research that answers this for scleral lenses specifically. The general safety rules for lens wear apply, and your fitter and eye doctor can weigh your particular eyes. If you have a rare type that affects the cornea, such as brittle cornea syndrome, a cornea specialist should be part of the decision.

    My hands and wrists hurt or dislocate. Can I still handle the lenses?

    Many people with limited hand strength or painful joints manage with tools: insertion stands, lighted plungers, and techniques that use less grip. See our guides for arthritis and limited dexterity, and for shaky hands, and ask your fitter to watch your technique.

    My eyelids are very loose. Does that matter?

    It might. At least one wearer with hypermobile EDS found the lens rubbed or felt uncomfortable under the lids, which was put down to lid laxity. Tell your fitter; lens size and edge design can sometimes be adjusted, and they can examine your lids.

    Can EDS cause keratoconus?

    Corneal problems have been described in some forms of EDS, and brittle cornea syndrome is itself classed as a type of EDS. Whether EDS raises the risk of keratoconus more broadly isn't something we could confirm from strong evidence. Ask your eye doctor whether your corneas should be monitored.

    Keep reading

    I'm seeing new flashes or floaters. Is it my scleral lens?

    Sudden new floaters, flashes of light, or a dark shadow or curtain over part of your vision are warning signs of a retinal tear or detachment. The National Eye Institute calls retinal detachment a medical emergency: go to your eye doctor or an emergency room right away, the same day, whether or not you wear a lens. Haze, specks and smudges that are on or under the lens are common and usually clear when you take it out, but don't spend time troubleshooting the lens if you have those warning signs.

    Can scleral lenses help dry eye from rheumatoid arthritis?

    They can, when dry eye from rheumatoid arthritis doesn't respond enough to drops and other treatment. A scleral lens holds a reservoir of fluid over the cornea and reduces evaporation, and reviews list it as an option for persistent symptoms. It doesn't treat the arthritis or the more serious eye inflammation RA can cause, such as scleritis, which needs urgent medical care. Stiff or painful hands can make insertion and removal harder, but tools and training help many people.

    Can your eyes be too dry for scleral lenses?

    Rarely in the sense of being ruled out: people who make almost no tears, and people with heavy oil-gland loss, wear scleral lenses every day. But very dry eyes make the lenses harder work. The front of the lens can dry and smear, fogging is common, and the lids and the white of the eye outside the lens can still feel dry. Many need extra treatment alongside the lens, and some don't get on with lenses at all.

    Am I a candidate for scleral lenses?

    You may be a good candidate if glasses or other contact lenses don't give you clear, comfortable vision because your cornea is irregular, or if your eye surface is damaged or very dry. Scleral lenses are less often the right choice for an ordinary prescription on a healthy eye, or when handling a large lens every day isn't realistic. Only an eye examination can tell you for sure, and a good fitter will tell you if another option suits you better.

    Sources

    1. MedlinePlus Genetics. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. National Library of Medicine. Accessed October 2, 2026. medlineplus.gov
    2. Zhang KR, Zhang X, Xu K, Kojima J, Anderson BD, Dunaief JL, Armenti ST. Ophthalmic implications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Clin Ophthalmol. 2026;20:600529. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S600529 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
    3. National Eye Institute. Retinal Detachment. Last updated November 5, 2025. nei.nih.gov
    4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Contact Lens Risks. Content current as of September 4, 2018. fda.gov

    Last updated October 2, 2026. Found an error or a newer study? Let us know and we'll correct the page.