How long does fitting take?

It depends on the type of lens we fit, the eye condition you have, your availability for appointments, the lens supplier, and many other small but important factors. However, as an indication:

Scleral lens fitting: 1-6 weeks. We can fast-track fitting of Wave and Zenlens, to take around 1-2 weeks in most cases. Without fast-track, typically it can take 1-3 months.*

EyePrint/EyeFit Pro fitting: After impressions are taken, each pair of lenses from Eyeprint take 5-6 weeks to arrive. So allow 2-4 months for fitting from start to finish.*

Cosmetic lens fitting: Custom-printed or painted cosmetic lenses can take 2-3 weeks to produce, so allowing for an exchange, allow 2-3 months for fitting from start to finish.*

*All eyes are different and sometimes lenses can be lost in the post, or fittings can be more complex than anticipated. Please bear this in mind when making travel plans!

How much does it cost?

Scleral fitting for lenses such as Wave and Zenlens is £1500 including all appointments for the first 3 months, and an initial pair of lenses (fast-track fitting is an additional £200). EyeFit Pro is £2600 and EyePrint Pro is £4000, including all appointments for the first 4 months and the initial pair of lenses. All prices include up to 2 exchanges. Please visit my pricing page for information.

Reduced costs for ongoing appointments and replacement lenses are available for people opting to join my monthly Specialty Care Plan, which is £22 per month and includes all appointments and eye examinations.

What can you offer that the NHS doesn’t?

While NHS contact lens clinics are undoubtedly commendable and staffed by experienced and dedicated lens fitters, there are certain advantages to choosing my services. I have dedicated my career to this field, continuously updating my knowledge by attending international conferences and meetings, ensuring that I remain at the forefront of advancements in contact lens technology and fitting techniques.

One of the primary advantages of opting for my services is the emphasis on speed and choice. Unlike NHS clinics that often experience high patient volumes, staff turnover, and long waiting lists due to budgetary constraints, I strive to provide a more efficient and patient-centered experience. With the latest state-of-the-art equipment, including the Eaglet Scleral Profiler, and my Eyeprint Pro accreditation, I can conduct meticulous assessments of your eyes and vision, paying attention to even the minutest details.

Another key benefit is the reduced waiting time for new fittings. While NHS appointments for specialised contact lens fittings may involve waiting for many months, I typically have availability within 2-3 weeks. This allows us to initiate your treatment promptly and effectively.

Moreover, as an independent specialist, I have the flexibility to streamline administrative processes for ordering and receiving lenses, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for you.

My dedication to this field and the resources I have invested in enable me to dedicate more time to each appointment. This extended time allows me to thoroughly understand and address any concerns or challenges you may be facing, aiming to achieve the best possible outcome for your vision and eye health

Will scleral lenses give me better vision than other lens types?

The visual improvement achieved with scleral lenses can vary significantly from person to person and is influenced by several factors. Your specific visual challenges, the presence of higher order aberrations in your visual system, and any coexisting conditions such as retinal disease or cataracts will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.

Scleral lenses provide better visual outcomes than soft lenses for people with corneal disease due to their unique design. By vaulting over the entire cornea and resting on the sclera, they offer stability and coverage, effectively correcting corneal irregularities. The tear-filled reservoir beneath the lens enhances comfort, minimizes aberrations, and allows for longer wearing times. They can also provide better visual outcomes than corneal RGP lenses because they cover a larger portion of the eye, including the sclera, offering more stability and improved correction of corneal irregularities.

However, it is essential to recognize that individual responses may vary, and there could be instances where other lens types might be equally suitable or preferred for specific visual needs.

For a comprehensive evaluation of your unique requirements and to determine the most suitable lens option, please get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.

Will scleral lenses help with my dry eye symptoms?

Due to the way that scleral lens fit the eye, covering the entire cornea and part of the scleral conjunctiva with a fluid-filled reservoir behind the lens, scleral lenses can provide relief from the pain of dry eye symptoms. This benefit can be most marked in patients with aqueous deficiency dry eye and pathological dry eye disease such as Sjogren’s Syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, auto-immune disease and incomplete blinking, for example.

Patients with evaporative dry eye such as meibomian gland dysfunction can still benefit from scleral lenses, however the prognosis is more guarded. We can can often ascertain how much relief from your symptoms you might expect during the initial appointment, when a few hours tolerance test might be useful.

I’ve been told I’m not suitable for contact lenses - can you help?

In many cases, yes! There are very few practitioners in the UK with the same experience, equipment and downright tenacity as me! Even if you have extremely advanced corneal disease but are trying to avoid a transplant, modern impression-based lenses such as Eyeprint Pro can fit almost any kind of eye.

If you have healthy eyes but a very high prescription or astigmatism, or you need prism incorporated in your prescription, there are lenses out there for you. Please get in touch for a remote consultation where we can discuss all your options.

How often will I need to replace my scleral lenses?

This can vary, but typically scleral lenses can last anywhere from 1 year up to 5 years or more, with careful handling and cleaning. The reasons for needing to replace them are typically wear and tear from scratches, build up of protein and lipids on the lens surface, and prescription changes.

What if the fitting doesn’t work out?

It is rare that I am unable to find anything that works, so this is not often an issue! However it is an important consideration and something many people will worry about.

I will always pass on to my patients the same warranties that I am offered by my lens suppliers. Many suppliers offer me refund of the majority of the lens cost in the event of a failed fitting, and I will pass this refund on to you. For highly customised lenses such as EyePrint Pro lenses, there is a 50% refund offered in the event of an abandoned fitting. If we try one type of lens and it doesn’t work out so we move on to trying another type, the money you can have paid will go towards the next pair. For hand-painted cosmetic lenses there is no refund offered.

Any chair time/fitting fees are not refundable as this covers the time it has taken me to conduct your appointments.

Does Eyeprint fitting hurt?

Not at all. I have had impressions taken of my own eyes so I could answer this question first-hand, and I can attest that there is no discomfort whatsoever. If you have ever had an impression taken of your teeth at the dentist, this is the closest analogy I can think of. It feels rather invasive, as I have to get very close to you and let’s face it, no-one loves having their eyes messed with. When the impressions have set and we need to take them off, they can sometimes stick to your skin slightly and pull a little. But that’s the worst it gets.