Vault Optimization: Avoiding Bubbles and Touch

Vault optimization sits at the heart of successful scleral lens wear. It is not the most visible element of the fitting process, yet it is often the most consequential. In a specialty-focused practice like OC Optometry Group, vault is evaluated with intention, measured with care, and refined over time—because even subtle miscalculations can compromise comfort, clarity, and corneal health.

When vault is optimized, scleral lenses feel effortless. When it is not, bubbles and corneal touch quietly undermine even the most advanced lens designs.

Understanding Vault Beyond the Basics

Vault refers to the fluid reservoir that separates the scleral lens from the cornea. This space allows the lens to protect the corneal surface, neutralize irregularities, and provide stable, high-quality vision. However, vault is dynamic. Lenses settle throughout the day, and what appears ideal at insertion may change after hours of wear.

This is why vault assessment does not stop once a lens is placed on the eye. At OC Optometry Group, evaluation continues across follow-up visits, ensuring clearance remains protective—not excessive or insufficient—over real-world wear time.

Why Bubbles Disrupt More Than Vision

Bubbles are often the first sign that vault has been compromised. They typically form during insertion when air enters the lens bowl, but they can also reveal deeper fitting challenges, such as inadequate sagittal depth or uneven landing zones.

A central bubble interrupts vision and creates localized dryness on the cornea, while peripheral bubbles may indicate alignment issues. In both cases, bubbles are signals—not nuisances—to be addressed thoughtfully rather than ignored.

Refining insertion technique, adjusting lens depth, or modifying haptic alignment can dramatically reduce bubble formation and improve consistency from day to day.

Corneal Touch: A Quiet but Serious Concern

Unlike bubbles, corneal touch may not announce itself immediately. Vision can remain clear while mechanical contact slowly stresses the corneal epithelium. Over time, this can lead to discomfort, inflammation, or surface disruption.

Detecting corneal touch requires experience, timing, and advanced imaging—particularly after the lens has had time to settle. This is where specialty care becomes critical. A scleral lens fit is not static, and ongoing evaluation ensures the cornea remains protected throughout the day, not just during the initial exam.

The Art of Vault Optimization

Optimizing vault involves balancing multiple variables:

• Initial sagittal depth that anticipates settling

• Landing zone design that supports even weight distribution

• Ongoing patient feedback paired with clinical findings

Adjustments are often measured in microns, yet their impact on comfort and ocular health can be profound. Precision, rather than overcorrection, is the goal.

Empowering Patients Through Education

Successful scleral lens wear extends beyond the exam room. Patients who understand how to recognize bubbles, confidently reinsert lenses, and identify early warning signs play an active role in protecting their eye health.

Education is woven into every stage of care, transforming complex lens systems into manageable, repeatable routines.

When Vault Is Right, Everything Else Follows

A well-optimized scleral lens does not draw attention to itself. Vision remains stable, comfort is sustained, and the cornea stays protected hour after hour. That quiet success is the result of deliberate fitting, careful follow-up, and a commitment to long-term outcomes.

At OC Optometry Group, vault optimization is not treated as a one-time adjustment—it is an evolving process guided by experience, technology, and a deep respect for the complexity of the ocular surface.

Author

Alejandro Gallego Having joined us in 2025, Alejandro has quickly shown his adaptability and commitment. Knowing the importance of our practice as he has had several years of experience in other healthcare areas. Efforts to excellence are evident from day one. We’re excited to support him as he continues to grow within our organization.