Study highlights growing global interest and future directions in scleral contact lens research

Research on scleral contact lenses (SCLs) is rapidly growing worldwide, with increasing focus on their clinical applications, especially for managing complex ocular surface diseases, according to a study.

Researchers analyzed 498 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection and found a steady rise in scholarly articles on SCLs over the years.

The study found that research was contributed by 1361 authors from 523 institutions in 38 countries, with the United States and Australia emerging as top contributors. Contact Lens & Anterior Eye led in both publication volume and citation impact.

Keyword analysis pointed to recurring themes such as keratoconus, ocular surface disease, and dry eye management. The most cited paper emphasized the effectiveness of fluid-ventilated, gas-permeable scleral lenses in managing severe ocular surface disorders.

Researchers concluded that while SCLs are already playing a vital role in clinical practice, future studies should focus on advancing lens design, materials, and fitting methods, as well as mitigating potential complications.

Reference
Gao J, Xu Y. Bibliometric and visual analysis of scleral contact lenses: global characteristics and research trends from 1976 to 2023. Int J Ophthalmol. 2025;18(4):735-743. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2025.04.21. PMID: 40256026; PMCID: PMC11947534.