New Contact Lens Update Explores the Evolution of Scleral Lenses
Wednesday, February 18 2026 | 12 h 03 min | News
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published Issue 88 of Contact Lens Update, which focuses entirely on scleral lenses—one of the most transformative modalities in modern contact lens practice. Four feature stories examine the expanding role of sclerals, real-world prescribing trends, and the technologies shaping contemporary practice. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.
“Today’s scleral lenses are no longer simply a last-resort option,” said Daddi Fadel, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Waterloo. “They have evolved into a powerful, highly customizable platform, giving clinicians the ability to manage complex visual and ocular surface challenges with unprecedented precision, comfort, and confidence.”
Fadel, who is among the world’s most recognized authorities in specialty contact lenses, wrote the issue’s opening editorial. She outlines the “what, why, and how” of scleral lenses, describing their evolution into a versatile therapeutic and optical platform. Fadel explains their essential role in restoring visual quality, comfort, and quality of life where conventional corrections fail, and details how advanced diagnostics, customized scleral alignment, and emerging optical technologies enable optimized vision and ocular surface outcomes.
Rute J. Macedo de Araújo, PhD, is an optometrist, vision scientist, and researcher at the University of Minho (Braga, Portugal) who concentrates on specialty lenses, corneal irregularities, and visual quality. She authors the feature article on current trends in scleral lens prescription, management, and evaluation. Her review highlights real-world scleral lens prescribing and management through the SCOPE initiative, illustrating progress in lens design and care but wide variability in follow-up practices.
Anitha Arvind, PhD, associate professor and head of Optometry at GD Goenka University and an expert in contact lenses and dry eye, and Monica Chaudhry, a senior optometrist with more than 40 years’ experience in specialty lenses and founder of MCVI, offer the clinical insight. These Gurugram, India-based professionals present a case showing how scleral lenses successfully managed long-term visual instability, irregular astigmatism, and contact lens intolerance post–radial keratotomy, using advanced corneal imaging to guide lens selection for stable vision and comfort.
The conference highlight is presented by Jamie Kuzniar, FSLS, FAAO, founder of Elevate Eye Care + Eyewear (Rochester Hills, Mich., U.S.), and Nicholas Brown, director of Engineering at Ovitz Inc. (Rochester, N.Y., U.S.). This case series presents clinical outcomes using wavefront‑guided scleral lenses to enhance visual quality in keratoconus patients. The results demonstrated significant reduction in higher‑order aberrations and improved visual acuity by custom correcting patient-specific optics and optimizing lens stability and fit for better real-world vision.
In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or quickly sign up for email receipt of future issues.
The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
Source: CORE
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