Vision Therapy in St. Augustine

Scleral Lenses: Breaking Barriers for Sjogren's Syndrome

(904) 824-0212

Understanding Sjogren's Syndrome: An Autoimmune Condition

Sjogren's syndrome is an intricate autoimmune condition that launches an immune system attack on the body's own moisture-producing glands. While it can affect multiple organ systems, it commonly impacts the eyes and mouth.

The result? Persistent dryness in these crucial areas causes not only daily discomfort but also a host of potential complications, with the eyes being particularly vulnerable to its effects.

embracing couple


man rubbing eye

Sjogren’s Impact on Daily Life

Living with Sjogren's syndrome is akin to waging a daily battle against one's own body. The dryness experienced in the eyes and mouth causes constant discomfort, affecting every facet of life.

Dry Eyes: The absence of tears leads to a gritty, burning sensation, making simple tasks like reading or blinking painful. Over time, it can damage the cornea — the eye's clear front surface.

Dry Mouth: Beyond affecting the enjoyment of food and drink, a dry mouth can hinder speech, alter taste, and trigger recurrent mouth infections. Saliva plays a crucial role in digestion and dental health, and its absence has far-reaching consequences.


How Scleral Lenses Counter Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's disease can significantly affect the eyes, leading to persistent dryness, discomfort, and potential complications. Traditional approaches to vision correction, such as glasses or standard contact lenses, often don’t provide relief and can exacerbate symptoms. This is where scleral lenses offer a groundbreaking solution.

The unique design of scleral lenses allows them to arch over the cornea, forming a space that is filled with saline solution. This maintains ocular moisture and acts as a protective shield.

Scleral lenses are tailored to fit individuals’ eyes, ensuring optimal comfort and effectiveness. Think of it as wearing a perfectly tailored suit for your eyes, designed to match their unique contours.

Here are four compelling reasons why individuals with Sjogren's disease find relief and comfort with scleral lenses:

  • Increased Moisture

    Scleral lenses cover a greater portion of the eye's surface. This design ensures that the eye remains in a moisture-rich environment throughout the day, alleviating dryness and discomfort.

  • Optimal Comfort

    Scleral lenses provide superior comfort due to their unique design. They vault over the cornea, avoiding direct contact with sensitive areas of the eye.

  • Consistent Clarity

    Unlike traditional lenses, scleral lenses offer consistent vision clarity. Dry eyes can cause fluctuations in vision, but scleral lenses help maintain stable and clear eyesight.

  • Protection and Relief

    Scleral lenses act as a protective barrier, shielding the eyes from external irritants and reducing the need for excessive blinking or eye rubbing.


How Can I Get Scleral Lenses for My Sjogren's Syndrome?

Getting scleral lenses for Sjogren's syndrome is a journey toward comfort and an enhanced quality of life.

  • Step 1: Consultation with an Expert

    Begin your journey with a consultation with a scleral lens expert who will evaluate your symptoms, assess your specific needs, and determine if scleral lenses are the right option.

  • Step 2: Custom Fitting

    Scleral lenses are not one-size-fits-all; they are tailored to fit your eyes perfectly. Advanced technology takes precise measurements and maps your eye's surface.

  • Step 3: Trial and Adjustment

    Fitting scleral lenses is an iterative process that involves trying on a trial pair for assessment, with adjustments made to achieve optimal comfort.

  • Step 4: Training and Education

    Wearing scleral lenses requires training in insertion and removal and proper care and maintenance to ensure their longevity and effectiveness.

  • Step 5: Ongoing Care and Monitoring

    Scleral lenses require ongoing care and monitoring through regular appointments with your eye doctor to ensure they continue to fit well and meet your needs. At Rowe Family EyeCare, we support you on your journey to relief and comfort.

Patient Reviews
4.8
239 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Jun. 27, 2025
Very thorough and trustworthy information given.
- Jun. 26, 2025
Brei and Morgan were so wonderful. They were all so accommodating and Dr.Mattox was absolutely amazi... ng.
- Jun. 26, 2025
Professional, efficient, friendly.
- Jun. 25, 2025
Fixed my glasses during their lunch break! Thanks Rowe
- Jun. 25, 2025
Friendly and professional
- Jun. 10, 2025
Great Service!
- Jun. 08, 2025
Nice people and great service. Appreciated how quickly I was able to get in for an appt.
- Jun. 03, 2025
Dr. Sierra Mattox and the sweet administrator that checked me out after my appointment were not only... amazing but were extremely informative not only answered all my questions but went over and beyond to make sure what I needed for further treatment was taken care of. Thank you ladies for a 10 star appointment:)
- May. 31, 2025
Great service & updated equipment all the staff helpful & Dr Maddox so nice to work with Glad i f... ound Rowe Family eye Care It’s a perfect fit for me Thank you all for the assistance with my eye care , glad I found you in St Augustine
- May. 26, 2025
Dr Mattox at Rowes’s eye care was wonderful. She was friendly and professional and was spot on wi... th my contact prescription.
- May. 23, 2025
I have nothing but great things to say about Rowe Family Eye Care! I was dealing with daily eye stra... in and headaches. After working with Dr. Brown, Patrice, and Kathy, those issues are gone. They were professional, efficient, and actually helped fix the problems. Highly recommend.
- May. 09, 2025
Our experience with the eye therapy specialist for ADHD has been absolutely incredible. The sessions... are engaging, supportive, and tailored perfectly to our child’s unique needs.
- May. 08, 2025
Very professional & always willing to help 😊
- May. 05, 2025
Popped in under very short notice as I had snapped off one of the nose pads on my glasses. Morgan no... t only repaired them in under five minutes but also adjusted the fitment of my frames to better fit my face. Was in and out in just ten minutes, thank you Morgan!
- Apr. 28, 2025
Very nice I would highly recommend
- Apr. 23, 2025
Wonderful staff ! Just would like to se more of a selection of glasses to choose from.
- Apr. 22, 2025
I've been coming here for years, and they are great. They even replaced my scratched lenses for free... even though it was a few days over my insurance period and gave me eye glass cleaner. It was so kind and showed me they care about their patients and are here to support you. It was also easy getting appointments and the office is clean and professional. They also have a great selection of eyeglasses. I got my favorite pair from here. I would definitely recommend coming here!
- Apr. 19, 2025
Rowe has a friendly, familial atmosphere. Efficient front desk staff. Optometry service is outstandi... ng- Nicholas is wonderful.
- Mar. 05, 2025
Ev
- Mar. 04, 2025
Sometimes it’s the simplest thing. Thank you, Nicholas, for silicone nose pads. I got 2 pairs of g... lasses and one was slipping down my nose. I tried sticking nose pads covers which didn’t help. Thanx, again, Nicholas.

View All 239 Reviews

Scleral Lenses in St. Augustine

Our optometry practice in St. Augustine

Photograph of Austin  Taylor
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed

smiling woman

Experience Relief with Scleral Lenses from Rowe Family EyeCare

Scleral lenses have the potential to provide significant relief and comfort for individuals dealing with the challenges of Sjogren's disease. 

If you or a loved one has Sjogren's disease and is interested in exploring the benefits of scleral lenses, schedule a consultation with Rowe Family EyeCare today. Your journey to relief and visual comfort begins here.

(904) 824-0212