If you’ve had difficulty wearing or being fitted for contact lenses in the past, scleral lenses may be the ideal solution for you.

Conventional contact lenses cover only a portion of the cornea, but scleral lenses have a large diameter and arch above the entire corneal surface and rest on the sclera (the “white” of the eye). They are custom-fit to the contour of your eyes and provide exceptional comfort, stability, and visual acuity. Scleral lenses are particularly beneficial if you have corneal irregularities, scars, diseases, or degenerations. Scleral lenses are also an option to solve dry eye as they are designed to ensure constant hydration, eliminating irritation of the cornea.

But scleral lenses require proper handling and care. Poor hygiene before inserting or removing lenses can increase your risk of infection. Follow these simple tips to keep your eyes and lenses healthy.

 

Tips for Handling & Caring for Scleral Lenses

• Thoroughly wash your hands with mild, lotion-free soap, and dry them with a clean, lint-free towel before inserting and removing lenses. Spray your hands with hand prep spray for an extra layer of protection.
• Use fresh solution every time you store lenses. Never re-use or top off an old solution.
• Replace your lens cases every time you buy a new bottle of lens storage solution.
• Never use tap or bottled water on lenses — only saline and other approved solutions.
• Fill each scleral lens completely with saline solution before inserting; this will help prevent bubbles.
• Try not to rub your eyes during the day. If lenses feel uncomfortable, remove them, rinse and refill them with saline solution before re-inserting.

 

Tips for Inserting Scleral Lenses

• Place the lens on the center of the insertion plunger and over-fill the lens bowl with saline solution.
• Hold both eyelids open and place your head so it is parallel with the countertop or table holding your lenses. For extra help, place a mirror flat on the table.
• Use the insertion plunger to gently place the lens onto the eye while keeping both eyelids open. If you push the lens too firmly on the eye, you may experience discomfort and lens fogging.
• Quickly, but gently, release the lower lid, then the upper lid once the lens touches your eye. If a small amount of saline spills out of the bowl, you’ll know you have used enough solution.
• Check that there are no bubbles under the lens and that the lens is centered. If you need to adjust the lens, remove it and re-insert with fresh saline solution.

 

Tips for Removing Scleral Lenses

• Wet the tip of the removal plunger with saline solution.
• Hold both eyelids open and press the suction cup of the removal plunger onto the bottom, outer portion of the scleral lens.
• Gently pull the removal plunger upwards and outwards from the eye to break suction and remove the lens.
• Store your lenses in a clean case with fresh solution.

 

Specialized Products for Scleral Lens Care

VibrantVue® products are FDA cleared and designed by industry professionals to meet the needs of dry eye and specialty contact lens patients. These three VibrantVue® products simplify everyday scleral lens handling and care:

• Scleral Saline Solution: Use this sterile, preservative-free, 0.9% saline solution to rinse and fill your scleral lenses before insertion.
• Hand Prep Spray: Clean your hands thoroughly even when you’re on the go with this alcohol-free spray that protects against toxins and fights causes of infection.
• Lid & Lash Cleanser: Relieve red, itchy eyes and gently eliminate toxins with this anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory clarifying treatment.