Average Scleral Lens Replacement Period at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: To evaluate the average scleral lens replacement period at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Patients were identified retrospectively through electronic medical records. Inclusion criteria included scleral lens patients treated at the USC Department of Ophthalmology who had reordered a scleral lens at least once in one eye. Lens order histories were evaluated, and statistical analysis included a multivariable, mixed-methods, linear, regression model. Results: Two hundred fifty-one patients (120 men and 131 women; average age 57.1±17.4 years, range 9–93 years) and a total of 445 eyes (227 OD, 218 OS; 199 irregular corneas, 246 ocular surface disease) were included. The average replacement period for a scleral lens was 23.9±14.3 months (range 5–2,617 days). Patients with greater scleral lens experience had a statistically significant increase in their average scleral lens replacement period; for every one year of additional experience wearing scleral lenses, average replacement period increased by 30.7 days ( P =0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between average scleral lens replacement period and sex, diagnosis, prior outside scleral lens treatment, lens brand, or lens diameter. Conclusion: The average scleral lens replacement period in this patient cohort at a tertiary care hospital was 23.9±14.3 months (1.99±1.19 years). Further studies are needed to better understand the impact of scleral lens age on ocular health and vision. Certainly, proper scleral lens training and education are essential to ensure optimal lens condition and treatment outcomes.