Lipid Keratopathy Management With Therapeutic Scleral Lens Wear

To report on the use of scleral lens therapy for a patient with lipid keratopathy secondary to rigid gas permeable contact lens wear and ocular surface disease.

Case report and literature review.

A 40-year-old man with a history of keratoconus and rigid gas permeable contact lens wear, resulting in corneal neovascularization and lipid keratopathy. The patient reported to our clinic with central lipid keratopathy secondary to rigid gas permeable lens wear and ocular surface disease. Given the density, central location, and subsequent visual limitations induced by lipid deposition and topographical irregularity, penetrating keratoplasty and scleral contact lens wear were discussed as possible treatment options. In this case, scleral lens wear provided both visual improvement and resolution of lipid keratopathy. After 3 years, the patient has remained stable, with significant visual improvement and near-complete resolution of lipid keratopathy.

This case illustrates the use of scleral lens wear in the therapeutic management of lipid keratopathy secondary to rigid gas permeable lens wear and ocular surface disease. For patients limited by lipid keratopathy and topographical irregularity, scleral lens wear may be used to achieve both visual and therapeutic outcomes.