Expert Training for Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are special contact lenses that are most of the time prescribed for patients with keratoconus or extremely sensitive eyes. These rigid gas permeable contacts have a very wide diameter that extends completely over the corneal surface, which makes them comfortable and effective for people with irregular corneas. At the beginning, many of our patients with scleral lenses find these contact lenses tricky to insert and remove. However, after a short training and practice in caring for your scleral lenses, you’ll find it easy!

Applying Scleral Lenses

1. The first rule for healthy eyes with scleral lenses is to wash your hands well with a mild soap. To prevent small fibers from sticking to your contact lenses, dry your hands well with a lint-free towel.
2. Before inserting your lenses, inspect your eyes for any redness or secretions. If you notice any irritation or changes in your vision while wearing scleral lenses, call our office to schedule an appointment. Our optometrists will perform an eye exam to check for any complications.
3. Our scleral lens team will instruct you on the best insertion methods for scleral lenses in our clinic. We advise patients to first place a mirror flat on the table in front of them. Remove one lens from its case and check it carefully for any debris or chips. If you hold your scleral lens against the light, you’ll be able to spot any cloudy deposits.
4. Fill the bowl of the lens with Oasis Tears Plus. Scleral lenses can be inserted using your fingers or a special inserter tool. If you prefer using your fingers, it is ideal to use two or three fingers (tripod method) to keep the lens stable and flat as you place it in your eye.
5. Look downwards towards the mirror. Use one hand to hold your eyelids open, and place the lens in your eye with the other hand.  As soon as you feel the saline against your eyeball, press gently and let go. The scleral lens will attach to your eye. Repeat this process with the second lens.
6. If your scleral lenses feel uncomfortable, it may be due to an air bubble trapped beneath the lens surface. You may need to remove the lens and insert again.

Removal of Scleral Lenses

There are two basic methods of removing scleral contact lenses: with your fingers, or with the aid of a plunger.

After you wash your hands well, look straight ahead. If you’re using a plunger, and attach it to the lower third of the lens. Press gently on your eye, and pull up and out.

Although it sounds challenging, don’t worry - after a few times practicing scleral lens removal, it will become natural and simple.

Proper Care of Scleral Lenses

As soon as you remove your contact lens, place them in the special lens basket with the correct right or left side marked. The right lens goes in the right side and the left lens goes in the left side of the lens basket. Fill the vial up to the line with the hydrogen peroxide solution called Refine One Step which we have prescribed. Do not change solution types or brands. Screw the lid with the baskets onto the vial with the liquid, turn it upside down one time and then set it upright on the counter overnight. Do not put the lenses back into your eyes until the contacts have been in the hydrogen peroxide solution for at least six hours.

In the morning, take the right lens out and put 3 or 4 drops of Oasis Tears Plus in the bowl of the lens and insert the lens into the right eye. Repeat for the left eye. Then rinse the vial out with water and let the basket and the vial air dry. Always use Oasis Tears Plus in the bowl of the lens before inserting the les and do not use another type of solution without Dr. Barbara Marcussen’s consent. Switching your solutions can lead to problems so it is very important to make sure you use only the solutions prescribed at Complete Eye Care.

Let the case air dry all day with the top off. Be sure to get a new lens case every time you replace the bottle of hydrogen peroxide which is called Refine One Step. Call today to schedule an eye exam.