Custom Sclerals for Hard-to-Fit Eyes

Scleral lenses are special contacts that can provide exceptional comfort and clear vision to people with irregular corneas. If you’ve been previously told that you can’t wear contacts or have found traditional contact lenses uncomfortable or unstable in your eyes, scleral lenses might be right for you.

Scleral lenses are an option for people with:

Very high astigmatism
Keratoconus
Dry eyes
Irregular or degenerative corneal conditions
Post-LASIK ectasia, a rare complication of laser eye surgery

If you’re curious about whether sclerals could bring you clearer, more comfortable vision, we’d love to see you for an appointment.

Book an Appointment

What Are Scleral Lenses?

The first thing you might notice about scleral lenses is that they’re much bigger than standard contacts. In fact, the smallest sclerals are 14.5 mm in diameter while conventional contacts are typically 9.0 or 9.5 mm across. They’re designed to sit on the white part of the eye, called the sclera, and vault over the corneal surface.

Beneath the scleral lens is a tear reservoir, which provides hydrating comfort and protection. It also improves vision by compensating for the irregular shape of the cornea.

Scleral lenses are custom-fit to the unique curves of each of your eyes.

Can I Get Scleral Lenses?

To determine if you’re a candidate for scleral lenses, we’ll start with a thorough contact lens exam, including testing your visual acuity and closely examining your corneas. All of these tests are simple and noninvasive.

Your exam also includes corneal topography, which is a type of photography that produces a 3D image of the surface of your cornea and allows us to map any distortion or irregularities. We’ll also perform a slit lamp exam that lets us examine the internal and external structures of your eyes. We may dilate your eyes to get a better view, if necessary, which could leave you a bit light-sensitive after your exam.

Wearing Scleral Lenses

If we determine you’re a candidate for scleral lenses, we will perform a diagnostic fitting. This is a chance for us to take all of the precise measurements required to custom-create scleral lenses for your eyes.

When your scleral lenses have been manufactured, we’ll show you how to insert and remove them. It’s a bit of a different process than contacts you may have worn in the past. If we find the fit isn’t quite right, we’ll work together to find a better one.

Are Scleral Lenses Comfortable?

Properly fitted scleral lenses can be as comfortable or even more comfortable than soft contacts.

Because they’re customized for your eyes, we can work together to create an excellent fit. For people with dry eyes, the design of scleral lenses provides an extra layer of protection and hydration.

Scleral lenses also remain in place on the eye, staying centred instead of shifting when you blink.

Visit Us

Our Address

2093 2nd Avenue
Whitehorse, YT
Y1A 1B5

Our Contacts

Phone: 867-668-2020
Fax: 867-667-6526
Email: eyes@northernlightsoptometry.ca

Find us in downtown Whitehorse across from the Yukon Visitor Information Centre, just steps from Main Street and the Yukon River.

For your convenience, we are wheelchair accessible.

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Hours of operation may vary on holidays.

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Our Services

Adult & Senior Eye Exams

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Our Testimonials

We’ve been going to Northern Lights Optometry for 20 years. The service has been always first class. The staff are professional, courteous and knowledgeable about the products they sell. This all lead by Dr. Gorrell who is the consummate professional, always gives professional no BS advice and is always friendly. He is fantastic with kids and helped my son make the transition from glasses to contacts when he was 9. 6 stars for me!!

Marcel B.

Friendly staff and expert advice. We are very fortunate to have this level of service and selection in Whitehorse. They went above and beyond to help me out in a jam! Thanks for the great service and quality care!

Jordan S

Northern Lights Optometry has taken care of my ocular health for the past 30 years. I’ve never had anything but good experiences. Pleasant, knowledgeable staff and kind, professional service are the standard.

Sarah H.

Always a great, professional, and knowledgeable experience for myself and my family, whether it’s a regular eye exam or a diabetic exam. I’ve been a patient at Northern Lights for over 25 years, and I’ve always received the quality customer service I’ve come to expect because that’s what I’ve always received. Great selection of glasses and sunglasses at competitive pricing. I highlight recommend Dr. Gorrell and his staff.

Jill N.

Had been having headaches and fatigue for months when it was suggested I have my eyes checked. Has not had my eyes checked in ten years. I was referred to see Dr. Guy Gorrell by a good friend. Dr. Gorrell was professional and very thorough in his assessment of my eyes and overall vision. In the end Dr. Gorrell was able to diagnose that my eyes did in fact need a prescription lens and my headaches and fatigue were likely due to my straining my eyes to see properly. His friendly and helpful staff assisted me in choosing my frames and in a very short period of time my glasses were available. Since having the prescription glasses my headaches and fatigue have stopped and I am very pleased. I highly recommend Dr. Gorrell and his staff at Northern Lights Optometry.

Scleral Lenses for Astigmatism & Keratoconus