The first time you see a scleral lens on the fitter’s finger, it’s hard to imagine it disappearing into your eye. It’s also normal to feel self-conscious about something new on your face, especially at work, in photos, or on a date. The good news is that the lens itself is much harder to spot than you’d think.
Why the lens is hard to see
A scleral lens is larger than a soft contact lens. In an international survey of fitters, the average scleral lens was 16.2 mm across.[1] But most of that size is tucked under your eyelids, resting on the white of the eye. The lens is clear, so the part between your lids shows your own eye color and the white of your eye through it.
In everyday conversation, most people won’t notice anything. Someone looking very closely, in bright light, might see the edge of the lens or the way light reflects off it. Wearers who’ve asked friends and family often say nobody noticed until they mentioned it.
What people might notice
A slight shine. The front of the lens is smooth and wet, so some wearers say their eyes look a little glossier than usual. A few have had comments that their eyes look “glassy.” Most people won’t notice, and those who do rarely say anything.
Some redness. Many wearers describe mild redness in the early weeks that settles as their wear time builds. Redness that lasts, gets worse, or forms a ring around the lens edge is worth mentioning to your fitter, because it can point to the fit. See why are my eyes red with scleral lenses?
A ring after you take the lenses out. The edge of a scleral lens rests on the white of the eye, on the thin clear layer over it that contains small blood vessels. Because that surface is irregular, the lens edge can press on some of those vessels. In a study of 13 wearers using detailed imaging, blood vessel density under the lower part of the lens edge was reduced after an hour of wear.[2] In everyday terms, some wearers see a faint ring or line on the white of the eye after removal. If it’s red, getting stronger, or comes with pressure or pain, see a red ring after removal and tell your fitter.
Eyes that look more open. This one works in your favor. Many wearers say that once their eyes are comfortable and they can see clearly, they stop squinting, and their eyes look more open and rested than before.
Feeling better about how you look
Seeing well tends to change how people feel in social settings. In a study of 14 people with keratoconus, scores for social functioning and vision-related mental health improved significantly after three months of scleral lens wear.[3] That was a small study, but it matches what many wearers describe: once they could see faces, read, and drive again, worrying about the lens faded.
What to say if someone asks
You don’t owe anyone an explanation, but a short, matter-of-fact answer usually ends the conversation. Some options:
- “They’re medical contact lenses. My cornea’s an irregular shape, and these let me see clearly.”
- “They’re special lenses that keep my eyes from drying out.”
- “Just my contacts.”
Most people are curious, not judging. Some wearers find that a simple explanation leads to “my cousin has keratoconus too.”
At work
Your routine mostly happens at home, morning and night, so coworkers rarely see anything. What helps:
- Keep a small kit at work in case you need to remove, rinse, or refill a lens. See the emergency kit.
- Find a clean, private spot with a sink and a mirror, in case you need it.
- Think about who to tell. You don’t have to tell anyone. Some people tell a manager or one trusted colleague so a short break doesn’t need explaining.
For more on fitting lenses into everyday life, see living with scleral lenses.
Dating and close relationships
Up close, a partner may eventually notice something, or see you putting lenses in or taking them out. Many wearers find it simplest to mention it early and casually, the same way you’d mention wearing glasses. Being matter-of-fact about it tends to make others matter-of-fact too.
Practical points:
- Plan your evenings. If you’re likely to be out late, know when and where you’d take the lenses out, and carry what you need.
- Never sleep in your lenses unless your eye doctor has told you to, including after a late night.
- Crying is fine. It might blur things briefly. See can you cry with scleral lenses?
Makeup, tints, and lashes
If you wear makeup, put your lenses in first and take them out before you remove it. See makeup and skin care. If you’re curious about changing how the lens looks, see tinted or colored scleral lenses, and ask your fitter about trade-offs before you choose a tint.
Common questions
Do I have to tell my employer I wear scleral lenses?
That's your choice. Many people never mention it. It can help to tell a manager or a trusted coworker if you might need a few minutes, and a clean, private spot, to remove or refill a lens during the day, or if your job involves safety equipment or eye protection.
Will the lenses change my eye color?
Standard scleral lenses are clear and don't change your eye color. Some labs offer a very light identification tint on one lens, which wearers say is barely visible, and a few offer darker or iris-printed designs. Ask your fitter what's available and whether it suits your eye.
Can I wear eye makeup and false lashes?
Yes, with some care. Put lenses in before makeup, take them out before you remove it, and keep products and lash glue away from the lens. Talk to your fitter before getting lash extensions.
Do scleral lenses make your eyes look bigger or bulging?
The lens sits under your eyelids, so it doesn't usually change the shape of your eye. If one eye looks or feels like it's bulging, or the lens feels tight, tell your fitter, since that can point to the fit.
Can someone tell if I'm wearing a lens in only one eye?
Usually not. Wearers with a lens in one eye say they rarely notice a difference themselves. If one eye is often redder than the other, mention it to your fitter.