HAPTIC (SCLERAL) LENSES

The first contact lenses used were haptic or scleral lenses.  Both terms are used interchangeably.  These lenses are about 20 to 25 mm in diameter.  They cover the whole cornea and rest of the sclera.  

The first scleral lenses were 
fluid lenses.  The lens vaulted 
the cornea with a significant 
gap between the cornea and the 
back of the lens.  The lens was 
filled with fluid (usually saline 
although many different 
solutions were tried) to prevent 
a bubble from covering the pupil.  
The first haptic lenses used in the 
early 1900’s were first made of glass 
and later of a plastic (about 1936).

Fluid lenses caused corneal swelling (edema) because the cornea did not receive sufficient oxygen although at the time the reason was not known.  The patient’s vision would become cloudy after a few hours of wear.