Slit Lamp Findings in Scleral Lens Wearers With and Without Subjective Fogging

The term "midday fogging" is used to describe visual blur, which some scleral lens wearers experience during use. The purpose of this study was to determine whether fit characteristics and biomicroscopic findings in habitual scleral lens wearers contribute to symptoms of fogging.

This prospective, observational study analyzed 48 habitual scleral lens wearers who wore lenses in one or both eyes from five clinical sites. Participants indicated whether they experienced fogging. Slit Lamp biomicroscopy was performed to evaluate fluid reservoir (FR) depth and presence or absence of limbal clearance, edge lift or impingement, conjunctival prolapse, and front surface nonwetting. Presence or absence of mucous strands, fine particulate debris, and diffuse haze in the FR were also noted. Backward elimination binomial logistic regression using one eye per participant compared the findings of eyes with and without subjective fogging.

Fogging was reported by 58% participants (28/48). Statistical analysis found no significant differences in scleral lens fitting characteristics of eyes with and without reported fogging. The presence of front surface nonwetting and diffuse haze were statistically higher in eyes with fogging.

In this study, front surface nonwetting and diffuse haze observed with Slit Lamp biomicroscopy were associated with patient-reported scleral lens fogging.