A study evaluated longitudinal variations in intraocular pressure (IOP) after long-term scleral lens wear in Chinese eyes.¹ Sixty Chinese individuals who had irregular or regular corneas—irregular cornea group (ICG) and regular cornea group (RCG), respectively—were included in the study. In the ICG group, 32 participants (41 eyes) who had a mean age of 31.5 ± 8.2 years (range: 19 to 56 years) and a mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of −8.0 D ± 5.8 D were included. In comparison, the RCG group consisted of 28 participants (52 eyes) with a mean age of 27.6 ± 4.3 years and a mean SER of −5.4 ± 2.5 D.

An initial baseline examination, scleral lens fitting, and dispense appointments were performed. Aftercare visits were administered after 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months of scleral lens wear. IOP was obtained without the scleral lens on the eye using either rebound tonometry (ICG) or non-contact tonometry (RCG). The mean IOP varied by less than ±0.3 mmHg across study visits (P>.05) in both the RCG and ICG group. In both groups, 3 participants each (10% of eyes) demonstrated an increase in IOP of ≥ 2 mmHg from baseline at 2 consecutive visits, including the 3-month visit. Generally, IOP remained stable (mean changes less than ±0.3 mmHg) in Chinese individuals who have regular and irregular corneas after 3 months of scleral lens wear.

A limitation of this study was that different tonometers were used across the 2 groups, and IOP variations for the ICG and RCG participants were analyzed separately. Notably, both groups demonstrated similar IOP trends (with an average variation of ≤ 0.6 mmHg over the 3 months). Three individuals in each group demonstrated a sustained IOP increase of ≥ 2 mmHg.

Since glaucoma is more frequent in Asian eyes, future long-term scleral lens studies are necessary to evaluate IOP changes with the scleral lens in situ (eg, using pneumotonometry), as well as potential effects on anterior chamber anatomy and optic nerve markers.

Reference 

1. Yang M, Wang F, Xu A, et al. Intraocular pressure following long-term scleral lens wear in Chinese eyes. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2025 Jul 16:102476. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2025.102476

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, practices at Baker Optometry and is founder of a coaching and consulting firm. She has received remuneration from ABB, AbbVie, Alcon, Azura, Bausch + Lomb, BCLA, Bruder, Cloudbreak Pharma, Dompé, Epion, OCuSOFT, ScienceBased Health, STAPLE Program, Tarsus, and Théa Pharma.

 This content was supported via unrestricted sponsorship