Scleral Lenses in Wilmington, NC | Paul Vision Institute
We offer custom vision solutions for patients who have been turned away elsewhere and are fitted by the only EyePrintPRO Certified provider in Eastern North Carolina.
If you’ve heard your eyes are “too irregular,” “too dry,” or “too far gone” for contact lenses, the practice may not have had the right technology to help you. At Paul Vision Institute, scleral lenses are a precise way to restore the vision and lifestyle you thought you had lost.
Call 910-256-6364 or request your scleral lens evaluation online today to find out whether you are a candidate.
What Makes a Scleral Lens Different
Standard contact lenses sit directly on the cornea, which may be irregular, scarred, or unstable, and cause vision problems. Scleral lenses avoid this surface completely.
Scleral lenses are large, gas-permeable lenses that rest on the white part of your eye, which is more stable and less sensitive than the cornea. The space between the lens and your eye fills with preservative-free saline, creating a smooth surface over a cornea that may be scarred, cone-shaped, or changed by surgery. This gives you clear vision and a comfortable, cushioned layer for eyes that are too dry or damaged for regular lenses.
For people in Wilmington with keratoconus, post-surgical corneal ectasia, corneal transplants, severe dry eye, or irregular astigmatism from old surgeries, this is more than just an upgrade. Often, it is the only non-surgical way to restore stable, usable vision.
Soft Lenses and Glasses Have Already Failed You
Many people come to Paul Vision Institute for scleral lenses after trying other options that didn’t work: glasses that can’t fix irregular astigmatism, soft lenses that move or blur, RGP lenses that fall out during activities, or past surgeries that changed the eye’s surface. If any of these situations sound familiar, consider a scleral lens consultation as your next step, not your last hope.
- Keratoconus or pellucid marginal degeneration can cause progressive corneal thinning and distorted vision.
- Post-surgical corneal ectasia may follow LASIK, PRK, or RK when the cornea does not hold its shape.
- Corneal transplant (PKP/DALK) recovery with an irregular graft surface
- Severe dry eye disease can make standard lenses hard to tolerate, and constant grittiness may limit how long you can wear any correction.
- Previous fittings did not work—you may have been told that scleral lenses, EyePrintPRO, or other specialty fits would not work for your eyes.
Many patients also have meibomian gland dysfunction with their corneal disease, which means their eyelid glands are inflamed, and dryness is worse, making lenses harder to wear. We check and treat your eye surface health during your scleral lens fitting, because a lens on a dry, inflamed eye will not work as well as it should.
EyePrintPRO: When a Standard Scleral Lens Isn’t Precise Enough
Even with scleral lenses, there is a limit to how well a standard or semi-custom lens can fit a very irregular eye. For people with the most complex corneas, such as extreme ectasia, post-transplant irregularity, or those who have tried and failed with other scleral lenses, Paul Vision Institute offers EyePrintPRO, the most advanced custom scleral lens technology available.
Instead of choosing from preset lens shapes, our team gently takes an impression of your eye’s surface, capturing its unique shape in detail, much like a dental impression. This impression is scanned and used to make a lens that matches your eye exactly. For people who have been told “there’s nothing more we can do,” this technology often provides a new solution.
Dr. Benjamin Taylor is the only EyePrintPRO Certified provider in Eastern North Carolina. If you have not had success elsewhere or your provider does not offer impression-based fitting, this could be the difference between another disappointing experience and a lens that truly fits you.
Built for a Coastal Life, Not a Sedentary One
A good scleral lens fitting is not just about seeing clearly during your exam. It’s about making sure your lenses work for you on the water, in the field, or while driving around Wilmington. Our patients want more than just to get by—they are boating, coaching, running, or cheering on local teams. We adjust every scleral lens for not just 20/20 vision, but for stable, all-day comfort that fits your active life in the Wilmington area.
What to Expect From Your Fitting
At Paul Vision Institute, a scleral lens fitting is a careful, multi-step clinical process. It is not a quick, one-size-fits-all appointment:
- Comprehensive corneal evaluation using corneal topography to precisely map your eye’s irregularities and confirm whether a standard scleral lens or EyePrintPRO custom fit is the right path.
- Diagnostic lens fitting, where we evaluate fit, movement, and vault over your specific corneal surface.
- EyePrintPRO impression (if indicated) to capture your eye’s exact shape for a fully custom lens design.
- We provide lens dispensing and teach you how to insert and remove your new lenses, so you feel confident using them rather than anxious.
- We follow up to fine-tune your fit and prescription as your eyes adjust, ensuring your vision and comfort are just right.
This process takes longer than a regular contact lens fitting because it is more important. We are not just guessing at a fit; we are carefully designing one for you.
Why Patients Drive Past Other Practices to Get Here
Paul Vision Institute has been an ACOE-accredited postdoctoral residency site under the direction of Dr. Edward Paul for many years. This experience is why local optometrists send us their most challenging scleral lens cases. With Dr. Taylor’s EyePrintPRO certification, on-site corneal topography, and a team trained for complex cases, patients in Wilmington do not need to travel to Raleigh or Charlotte for this level of care. It is available right here.
Stop Managing Around Your Vision. Start Living Around It.
If a previous provider told you scleral lenses were not an option, or gave you a lens that never fit well, ask for a second opinion from a practice that specializes in these cases.
Book your scleral lens evaluation with Paul Vision Institute today and take the next step toward a better fit.
📞 910-256-6364
📍 1613 Military Cutoff Rd #230, Wilmington, NC 28403
✉️ mchiverella@paulvisioninstitute.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scleral lenses uncomfortable? Most patients find scleral lenses more comfortable than soft or RGP lenses that did not work for them before. The lens does not touch the irregular or sensitive cornea; it sits above it, cushioned by a layer of fluid.
How long does it take to adjust to scleral lenses? Most people get used to them within 1 to 2 weeks, but more complex EyePrintPRO cases may need a longer period to get the perfect fit.
Will insurance cover scleral lenses? Many insurance plans offer partial coverage for scleral lenses when prescribed for conditions such as keratoconus, post-surgical ectasia, or severe dry eye. Our team will help you check your specific benefits.
Can I get EyePrintPRO if I have already tried and failed with a standard scleral lens elsewhere? This is exactly the situation EyePrintPRO was made for. If a standard scleral lens did not work, it often means your cornea is too irregular for a semi-custom lens, and an impression-based custom lens can help.
