The Tatum Eyecare Scleral Lens Clinic specializes in the fitting of Scleral Lenses, Hybrid Contacts, and Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT). These lenses require more time, expertise, and special equipment to fit correctly. However, when fit properly, they can offer amazing visual and therapeutic results.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are custom designed highly oxygen permeable contact lenses that rest on the sclera (white part of the eye). These lenses are typically about twice the size of a standard rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens and slightly larger than a soft contact. Because these larger lenses rest directly on the sclera they are much more comfortable than the traditional smaller RGP lenses that lie directly against the highly sensitive cornea.

Scleral lenses are often used when a patient has a diseased or distorted cornea. The cornea serves as an important optical surface for the eye. When the cornea is damaged, glasses or soft contacts will be unable to produce a clear image for the patient. Scleral lenses can correct this by creating a new smooth optical surface for light to be refracted through.
Scleral lenses can be very effective in masking the corneal irregularities and increasing the visual acuity in the following conditions:
  • Corneal trauma
  • Keratoconus
  • Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
  • Keratoglobus
  • Corneal deformities from previous refractive surgery or corneal transplant
  • Corneal irregularities from scars, dystrophies or ocular surface disease
Because the scleral lens vaults the cornea it creates a fluid reservoir. This gives the scleral lens the unique ability to keep the cornea bathed in tears. This liquid bandage can help treat extremely dry and damaged eyes.
Scleral lenses may be used to treat the following conditions:
  • Extremely dry eye
  • Sjogren’s Syndrome
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • Graft Versus Host Disease
  • Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
  • Neurotophic Keratitis
  • Recurrent Corneal Erosions
Hybrid Contacts
Hybrid contacts are a combination of rigid lens and soft lens technology. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses offer superior optics in comparison to soft lenses especially in the cases of distorted corneas or high astigmatism. However, many patients are intolerant to the rigid lens rubbing against the lids and sensitive cornea. Soft contacts are extremely comfortable but they lack in their ability to correct corneal problems. Hybrid contacts address this by combining a RGP lens with a soft contact lens skirt. The patient receives the best of both worlds.
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT)
CRT is a technique that allows a patient to correct their vision without glasses or contacts during waking hours. CRT lenses are custom fit to match each patient’s unique corneal shape and prescription. These lenses are worn at night and reshape the soft cornea while the patient sleeps. The lenses are removed in the morning. This new shape allows the eye to see clearly throughout the day. However, this effect is only temporary. The CRT lenses must be worn each night to maintain the new corneal shape.
What Is The Fitting Process?

We begin with a comprehensive eye exam. This is the same eye exam you get on a yearly basis to determine your refractive error and overall eye health. This will give us enough information to determine if specialty contact lenses are right for you. We will then schedule a separate contact lens fitting session. During this exam, we map out the curvature of your corneas to determine the proper size and shape of your new specialty lenses. Often we will have diagnostic lenses in the office that will be used to further evaluate the fit and vision. Special instrumentation called an OCT will measure the clearance between the contact lens and the cornea. A custom lens with your specifications will then be ordered from the lab. It usually takes about a week for the lab to get the lenses back to us. You will return to the clinic to have the fit and visual acuity of your new lenses evaluated. If changes need to be made, the doctor will reorder lenses from the lab. A technician will instruct you on insertion and removal of the contacts and discuss the proper care. Generally there will be at least one more follow up to evaluate how the new contacts are performing. All follow ups are included in the fitting fee.

Can I Use My Insurance?
Yes, vision insurance benefits for contact lenses can be applied to specialty lenses. However, these specialty contacts are custom made and incur a higher cost than your traditional mass produced soft lenses. Many insurances offer increased benefits to help reduce a patient’s cost for medically necessary contacts. These benefits vary between insurance companies. We will help determine if your insurance will cover medically necessary contacts and what out of pocket expenses you can expect.
Would You Like To Get Started? Do You Have Questions?

Dr. Ryan Felten runs our specialty lens clinic. If you are interested in being fit with a specialty contact lens, please call our office and make an appointment with Dr. Felten for your initial comprehensive exam. If you would like more information on specialty lenses or our clinic, please fill out the contact form below and we will get back to you.

Contact The Scleral Lens Clinic

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Dr. Bryan Fuller

Dr. Bryan Fuller of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
Dr. Fuller grew up in Issaquah, Washington and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University. He decided to ditch the calculator and trade it in for a phoropter and slit lamp. He headed east to The Ohio State University where he received his Optometry degree in 1998. Go Bucks! Not wanting to return to the gray of Washington, after graduation, he headed southwest to sunny Arizona. Shortly thereafter he met Dr. McPhelan and they partnered up at their original location, Optical Illusions. With the success of the first location, the two doctors opened up their north location, Optique at the Ridge. After many years of operating the two locations, it was time for an upgrade. In 2016 they merged the two locations into their larger and current location, Tatum Eyecare! When not at the office, Dr. Fuller enjoys spending his free time with his amazing wife and two boys. Dr. Fuller holds the following degrees:

Ohio State University - Doctorate of Optometry
Washington State University - B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Dr. James McPhelan

Dr. James McPhelan of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
Dr. McPhelan grew up in Southern California and enlisted in the Army at age 17. He graduated from Southern California College of Optometry in 1976, then started practicing optometry in Arizona in 1977. Over the next few years, he grew 20/20 Eye Care to 15 offices. In 1999, he and Dr. Fuller took over Optical Illusions, then opened Optique at the Ridge. In 2016, they created Tatum Eyecare. In his spare time, Dr. McPhelan is an avid golfer, often competing in multiple tournaments through the year. Dr. McPhelan holds the following degrees:


Southern California College of Optometry - Doctorate of Optometry

Dr. Houle

Dr. Houle
Dr. Houle is following in her father's footsteps as an optometrist. She is a North Dakota native who received her Bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota before earning her Doctorate of Optometry from Midwestern University - Arizona College of Optometry. Dr. Houle began her career in eye care more than 10 years ago, and she worked as a receptionist, optician, and technician before becoming an optometrist. She has a particular interest in the management of ocular disease including dry eye and glaucoma. In her free time, Dr. Houle is an avid baseball fan (go Twins!) and spends as much time as possible with her friends and family in both Arizona and North Dakota.

Midwestern University – Arizona College of Optometry - Doctorate of Optometry
University of North Dakota - Bachelor of Science: Biology

Dr. Kenneth O'Daniel

Dr. Kenneth O'Daniel of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
Dr. O’Daniel was born in the beautiful mountains of Waynesville, North Carolina and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Wright State University and graduated with his BS in Biology in 1977; shortly thereafter, beginning his Masters in BioChemistry.

Dr. O’Daniel is also a 1983 graduate of the Illinois College Optometry. He met his wife Lori during this period. Lori, a Chicago native, became an integral part of his practice (and life!) shortly thereafter.
He moved to Scottsdale in 1986 to begin practicing inside LensCrafters. In 1990 Dr. O'Daniel opened the Scottsdale LensCrafters, and he also presided as its director of Optometric services.
Dr. O’Daniel became an Optometrist because of his love and passion for photography, physics, and desire provide patients with the ability to see the world more clearly. As a licensed optometrist, Dr. O’Daniel provides complete eye care services for the surrounding communities ages seven and up.
Dr. O’Daniel has had a working relationship with both Dr. Fuller and McPhellan for over two decades. He has served as past director for the Arizona Optometric Association, and past President of the Central Arizona Optometric Society. In January, 2018 Dr. O’Daniel decided to join Tatum Eye Care, the premier Eye Care Center in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Dr. O’Daniel’s goal is simple: Provide Excellent Eye Care, treat patients as family, and treat everyone honestly and fairly!

Dr. Christina Wong

Dr. Christina Wong of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
A southern California native, Dr. Wong attended UCLA where she received her B.S. in Biology. She then completed her Doctorate of Optometry at the Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Wong moved to Arizona to complete a residency in ocular disease at Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Following residency, Dr. Wong earned the distinction of Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Wong provides comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages, from pediatrics through seniors. She has a special interest in the management of medical eye conditions including glaucoma, eye infections, dry eye and diabetic retinopathy.
Outside of the office, Dr. Wong enjoys running, going to the beach, rooting for the Bruins, and spending time with her husband and three daughters.
University of California Los Angeles - B.S. in Biology
Southern California College of Optometry - Doctorate of Optometry

Dr. Ryan Felten

Dr. Felten of Tatum Eye Care in Phoenix Arizona
Dr. Felten is a native to Arizona, and was raised in North Phoenix where most of his family still resides. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University; then returned home to Arizona to pursue his Doctor of Optometry at Midwestern University in Glendale. While at Midwestern University, he was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society and was the recipient of the Clinical Excellence Award in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy. Dr. Felten enjoys working with patients of all ages and also speaks fluent Spanish. Dr. Felten holds the following degrees:


Brigham Young University - Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Midwestern University - Doctorate of Optometry