Vision Therapy in Myrtle Beach

Scleral Lenses: Breaking Barriers for Sjogren's Syndrome

(843) 903-6262

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.

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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 Carolina Forest Family Eyecare, we support you on your journey to relief and comfort.

Patient Reviews
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401 Reviews
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- Mar. 07, 2026
Everyone here is extremely friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, professional, and make you feel welcome... . They explained everything in detail in language I could understand. From my eye exam, treatment required, and selection of glasses, they were with me every step of the way. I would recommend them for all your eye care needs.
- Mar. 06, 2026
This is the type of place you can be comfortable with over many years. They’ll put your mind at ea... se.
- Feb. 21, 2026
The Doctors are all great, explain everything they are doing. Highly recommend if you really want a... n Eye Group that really cares about you and your eye health.
- Feb. 21, 2026
Very nice and knowledgeable. Very thorough examination.
- Feb. 20, 2026
The staff is always kind and helpful! The doctor was very thorough and the assistant that did all of... my testing was phenomenal! She was kind and patient with me and my children. She made them feel like they were apart of the process and explained everything she was doing in a way that they could understand. She really was the star of the visit and the doctor was so bubbly and engaging but more importantly she was caring and listened to my concerns and provided several different solutions! I highly recommend this team! (I apologize for not knowing the proper term for the assistant or her name but everyone was awesome!) The office staff was also very amazing and made us feel welcome from the time we walked in the door.
- Feb. 18, 2026
I usually go to Walmart for my eye exams but I was wanting to have a more detailed exam. This place ... was very high tech. Many scans and observations and the doctor actually took time and examined and cared about my eyes and vision. Educated me and truly cared about my eyes.
- Feb. 14, 2026
First time patient. Appreciate the ability to schedule my appointment online. The technician did a... great job on all of the preliminary testing. I have keratoconus and am hard to refract. The doctor took her time and I am happy with the contacts and glasses prescription I received. Would definitely recommend!
- Feb. 06, 2026
Great place checked eyes completely
- Jan. 29, 2026
We have recently moved to the area and hated the fact that we had to start all over again with healt... h care providers. This was an excellent choice.
- Jan. 25, 2026
The staff is great. I would highly recommend this eyecare place.
- Jan. 24, 2026
Their Optician quickly helped me narrow down my selections to choose a pair of glasses that I was ve... ry happy to buy with a lens option that I didn’t know I could get.
- Jan. 24, 2026
Always a great experience.
- Jan. 22, 2026
What a pleasant experience. The staff was so nice and welcoming.
- Jan. 19, 2026
Dr A and tho entire team were patient and efficient
- Jan. 15, 2026
If you want the latest technology to detect ocular disorders, this is the place ! Make an appointmen... t today!
- Jan. 15, 2026
I came to Carolina Forest Family Eyecare after a really negative experience at LensCrafters and hone... stly didn’t have very high expectations—but I was pleasantly surprised from start to finish. The facility itself is beautiful and feels very high-end. The waiting area is comfortable, the bathrooms are accessible, and I didn’t have to wait long at all for my appointment. Every member of the support staff was friendly and welcoming. Dr. Alavi is an absolute hoot—animated, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. She took the time to answer all of my questions without ever making me feel rushed. She also explained why I had such a difficult time getting contact lenses elsewhere: after having LASIK years ago, I’m not a great candidate for contacts—something no one had ever bothered to clearly communicate to me before. They have a fantastic selection of frames, ranging from under $200 to well over $700 (yes, the Tom Fords were tempting!). Picking up my glasses and getting them fitted was quick and easy. When I realized I still wasn’t reading as well as I should, I went back and they re-measured where the progressives started and ordered new lenses. I was able to keep my glasses while waiting for the new lenses, and they simply popped the replacements in when they arrived. I even asked to keep the original lenses as a backup—and they let me. To top it all off, when I returned to pick up the new lenses during the week of Christmas, Dr. Alavi was there in a full-on elf suit. She is my people. Highly recommend Carolina Forest Family Eyecare—professional, thorough, kind, and genuinely fun to work with.
- Jan. 15, 2026
Good experience.
- Jan. 15, 2026
I have finally found my forever eyecare professionals at this location! This is the third provider I... 've seen since I moved to this area and as someone who has been seeing eye doctors for 69+ years I can say without a doubt that this place is top-notch. The latest equipment for important testing, friendly staff, great atmosphere, good frame selectioon and Dr A is outstanding. She is very thorough and I learned a lot from her.
- Jan. 07, 2026
Friendly, professional and compassionate staff. They can provide easy to understand explanations fo... r subject matter that can be complex at times.
- Dec. 21, 2025
Wonderful office. From the time I walked in to when I left, I felt complete. All the staff was great... . The Dr was wonderful. She explained everything to me about my eyes. I didn't feel rushed. Found my new office.

View All 401 Reviews

Scleral Lenses in Myrtle Beach

Our optometry practice in Myrtle Beach

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Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross

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Experience Relief with Scleral Lenses from Carolina Forest 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 Carolina Forest Family Eyecare today. Your journey to relief and visual comfort begins here.

(843) 903-6262