My scar is from years ago. Too late?

No — a stable old scar is actually the ideal candidate; the optics problem is the same one the lens solves today.

Will the lens hurt over a scar?

It never touches the cornea — scarred surfaces usually find sclerals more comfortable than anything they’ve tried.

How much vision will return?

The diagnostic trial answers that honestly in one visit; density sets the ceiling, and many eyes land far above expectations.

What causes corneal scarring?

A corneal scar can form when the cornea heals after keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea that can follow an infection or an injury. Infectious keratitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses (most often herpes simplex), fungi or parasites; other causes include a scratch, a foreign body, dry eye and contact lenses, especially when they are slept in. Left untreated, keratitis can permanently damage vision, so a painful, red or light-sensitive eye needs a same-day visit.

When does a corneal scar need surgery instead of a scleral lens?

When the scar's density is what limits your vision. A scleral lens fixes the optics of an irregular surface, but it cannot clear a dense scar that blocks light. A laser treatment called phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) can remove scar tissue and make vision clearer; when the damage cannot be repaired, a transplant replaces it, full-thickness if the scarring affects the whole cornea or partial-thickness if only part of the cornea is damaged. When density is the limit, we say so and co-manage the surgical conversation.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brandon Cohenmehr, OD Last reviewed October 24, 2026

Scleral Lenses for Corneal Scarring

The scar stays. The distortion doesn’t have to.

A corneal scar does two kinds of damage: where it is dense it blocks light, and where it is irregular it bends light wrong. Glasses can’t fix the second kind — but a fluid-filled scleral lens can, by giving light a smooth new surface to enter through. Our own patients with shingles-related scarring have gone from legally-blind-range vision to sharp, usable sight through the right lens.

Book appointmentOr call 310-828-2010 Accepted insurance

Slit-lamp beam crossing a scarred cornea

Causes: Infection, injury, shingles, old ulcers
The problem: Irregular optics, glare, ghosting
The fix: A smooth surface + fluid layer
The ceiling: Set by scar density, not fear

How it works

Light stops caring about the scar.

The trial answers it: A diagnostic lens on the eye shows in minutes how much vision the irregularity was stealing. The trial is often the most hopeful appointment a scarred eye has had in years.
Dense vs. irregular: Saline fills the valleys of an irregular scar so the lens front does the focusing. A dense central scar sets the ceiling; many “scarred” eyes have far more clear window than they were told.
Protection included: The same reservoir shields a surface that often remains fragile after infection or shingles.
Honest staging: If scar density, not shape, is the limit, our optometrists in Los Angeles say so — and co-manage the surgical conversation instead.

Read: restoring vision after shingles scarring →

Before assuming blindness

“Nothing can be done” deserves a second opinion.

Trial lenses reveal potential the chart hides
Shingles, trauma and infection scars respond differently, and mapping tells which yours is
Free-form fits land evenly even beside irregular scars

Book a scarred-cornea evaluation

Common questions

Corneal scarring, answered.

Anything else, call the office at 310-828-2010.

No — a stable old scar is actually the ideal candidate; the optics problem is the same one the lens solves today.
It never touches the cornea — scarred surfaces usually find sclerals more comfortable than anything they’ve tried.
The diagnostic trial answers that honestly in one visit; density sets the ceiling, and many eyes land far above expectations.
A corneal scar can form when the cornea heals after keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea that can follow an infection or an injury. Infectious keratitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses (most often herpes simplex), fungi or parasites; other causes include a scratch, a foreign body, dry eye and contact lenses, especially when they are slept in. Left untreated, keratitis can permanently damage vision, so a painful, red or light-sensitive eye needs a same-day visit.
When the scar's density is what limits your vision. A scleral lens fixes the optics of an irregular surface, but it cannot clear a dense scar that blocks light. A laser treatment called phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) can remove scar tissue and make vision clearer; when the damage cannot be repaired, a transplant replaces it, full-thickness if the scarring affects the whole cornea or partial-thickness if only part of the cornea is damaged. When density is the limit, we say so and co-manage the surgical conversation.

Corneal scarring near you

12222 Wilshire Blvd, on the Santa Monica border.

West Los Angeles Brentwood Santa Monica Westwood Beverly Hills Culver City Pacific Palisades West Hollywood Marina del Rey Newport Beach

Also consider

Next step

Told to live with the scar?

One trial lens tells the truth about your eye’s potential. Bring your records; we’ll bring the map.

Book an evaluation Or call 310-828-2010