Method of fitting scleral and corneo-scleral lenses

Abstract

A method for fitting contact lenses. More specifically, methods of fitting scleral or corneo-scleral lenses utilizing data or patterns observed on a corneal topography examination to improve the fit of scleral lenses or corneo-scleral lenses. The method may use quadrant specific fitting set lenses or regular toricity in unusual portions of the lens to define which patients may most benefit from such lenses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need comprising the steps of:
 generating or using a corneal topography of an eye(s) of an individual in need of sclera or corneo-scleral lens fitting;   characterizing one or more surface patterns of a corona of said individual in need of sclera or corneo-scleral lens fitting;   characterizing one or more surface patterns of a sclera of said individual in need of sclera or corneo-scleral lens fitting;   using said characterizations of said cornea surface patterns and said sclera surface patterns to define sclera irregularities; and   creating or providing a sclera or corneo-scleral lens or sclera or corneo-scleral fitting lens set to fit said sclera of said individual.   
     
     
         2 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , wherein said characterization of said one or more cornea surface patterns includes size, location, distance from a center of said cornea, or combinations thereof, of one or more elevations or one or more depressions. 
     
     
         3 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 2 , wherein said sclera or corneo-scleral lens are fit to accommodate said elevations or depressions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , wherein surface patterns irregulates in the cornea are defined by plotting high points, low points, or combinations thereof, wherein said high points representing surface elevation(s), and said low points representing surface depression(s). 
     
     
         5 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , further including, determining a height of an eye surface at one or more distances from a center of the cornea. 
     
     
         6 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , further including, determining a height of an eye surface at one or more locations from 0° to 36° from a center of said cornea. 
     
     
         7 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , further including the step:
 geniting a cornea shape plot by graphing the sagittal height of the eye (SAG, Y-axis) against the meridional axis (X-axis) 360° for any radius or diameter from a center of the cornea.   
     
     
         8 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 7 , wherein said diameter or radius is between greater than 0 mm and 24 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 7 , wherein said diameter or radius is between greater than 0 mm and 14 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens using corneal topography according to  claim 7 , wherein said data is taken from one or more points along said circumference 0° to 360°. 
     
     
         11 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 7 , wherein said step of creating said cornea shape plot is derived from data from the 16 mm diameter circumference, demonstrating the sagittal height of the eye (SAG) value at each point along said circumference from 0° to 360°. 
     
     
         12 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 7 , wherein said generating shape plots is through a high point of a corneal cone as measured by corneal elevation topography and at an 8 mm radius. 
     
     
         13 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , further including the step of:
 analyzing the corneal topography data to determine the exact radius and angular direction from the center of the cornea to the apex of the cone, and the sagittal height (SAG) of the eye along said apex angle and 180° away from it at a 16 mm diameter.   
     
     
         14 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of creating a sclera or corneo-scleral lens to fit said sclera of said individual includes:
 providing said individual with two or more sclera or corneo-scleral lens configured to fit said sclera of said individual.   
     
     
         15 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of characterizing one or more sclera surface patterns includes,
 generating or using a sclera elevation map of said eye(s) of an individual in need of sclera or corneo-scleral lens fitting; and   characterizing one or more scleral irregularities.   
     
     
         16 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 15 , further including the step of:
 generating or using a scleral shape plot, said scleral shape plot defined by graphing the sagittal height of the eye (SAG, Y-axis) against the meridional axis (X-axis) 360° for any radius or diameter from the limbus to an edge of measurable sclera/conjunctiva.   
     
     
         17 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 1 , further including the step of:
 comparing said corneal pattern with said individual scleral pattern to define one or more irregularities in the sclera.   
     
     
         18 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 17 , wherein the step of comparing said cornea pattern with said individual scleral pattern to define one or more irregularities in the sclera includes;
 based on said elevations, depressions, or combinations thereof, in said cornea, determining elevations, depressions, or combinations thereof, in said sclera.   
     
     
         19 . The method of fitting sclera or corneo-scleral lens to an individual in need according to  claim 17 , further including the step of:
 determine if a correlation exists between the corneal and scleral patterns, wherein,   if a correlation exists between the corneal and scleral shape patterns, design a sclera or corneo-scleral fitting lens to fit said corneal and scleral shape patterns using said cornea topography; or   if no correlation exists between the corneal and scleral shape patterns, design a sclera or corneo-scleral fitting lens to fit said corneal and scleral shape patterns without using said cornea topography.