How to Insert & Care for Your Scleral Lenses

Scleral Lenses Candidates

Navigating the world of scleral lenses is vital in ensuring your eye health and optimal vision. At Family Vision Center, we are committed to providing thorough training to help you effectively insert, remove, and maintain your scleral lenses. Below is a comprehensive guide designed to make your scleral lens experience seamless.

woman putting in contact

Inserting Scleral Lenses

1. Clean Hands: The process begins with a thorough hand washing. Use mild soap and a lint-free towel to dry your hands. This step is essential to prevent tiny fibers or contaminants from adhering to your lenses.

2. Eye Examination: Before inserting your lenses, examining your eyes for any redness or secretions is essential. If you experience any discomfort or changes in vision while wearing scleral lenses, don't hesitate to reach out to our office to schedule an eye exam.

3. Follow Professional Guidance: The experienced scleral lens team at Family Vision Center will provide specific instructions on the best insertion techniques during your visit to our clinic. Here's a general guideline:

Place a mirror flat on the table in front of you.
Examine the cleaned lens for any debris or cloudiness by holding it against the light.
Fill the lens bowl with your saline solution.
You can use your fingers or a specialized inserter tool for lens insertion. If you opt for using your fingers, the tripod method (employing two or three fingers) ensures stability and a flat lens placement on your eye.
Focus your gaze downward into the mirror, use one hand to hold your eyelids open, and gently insert the lens into your eye using your other hand. When you feel the saline against your eye’s surface, gently press and release. The lens will adhere to your eye. Repeat the same process for the second lens.

If you experience discomfort, it could be due to an air bubble trapped beneath the lens surface. In such cases, remove the lens and reinsert it following the guidelines.

woman putting in contact

Tips for Removing Scleral Lenses

Clean Hands: After thoroughly washing your hands, look straight ahead. There are two methods for removing scleral lenses:

Using Your Fingers: Gently press on your eye and pull the lens upward and out.
Using a Plunger: Attach the plunger to the lower third of the lens, gently press on your eye, and then pull the lens upward and out. With practice, lens removal will become natural and effortless.

General Tips for Scleral Contact Lens Care

Scleral contact lenses are an innovative solution for various eye conditions, but their maintenance is crucial for your eye health and visual comfort. Here are some essential tips to ensure proper care:

Follow Your Optometrist's Instructions: Abide by your eye care professional's recommendations for lens cleaning, disinfecting, and storage solutions.

Proper Lens Insertion: When inserting lenses, ensure they are debris-free.

Adequate Lubrication: Use lubricating eye drops or preservative-free artificial tears to maintain eye moisture while wearing scleral lenses.

Regular Cleaning: Clean your lenses daily with the prescribed cleaning solutions. Rub and rinse them to remove any debris or deposits.

Regular Check-ups: Schedule routine follow-up appointments with Family Vision Center to monitor your eye health and lens fit.

Hydrogen Peroxide Care: If you use a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning system, ensure the lenses soak for the recommended duration before insertion.

Minimize Water Exposure: Avoid exposing your lenses to water, including swimming or showering while wearing them.

Avoid Overwearing: Stick to the recommended wearing time, especially if you're new to scleral lenses. Follow your optometrist's instructions for gradually increasing wear.

Replace Accessories: Replace your lens case regularly and follow care instructions to avoid contamination.

Emergency Removal Kit: Keep a lens removal kit with a plunger, spare lenses, and necessary accessories for unexpected situations.

Cleanliness: Maintain a clean lens storage case. Rinse it with saline and leave it open to air dry during the day.

Travel Precautions: When traveling, ensure you have all the necessary lens care items and spare lenses, and follow security regulations for carrying liquids.

Never Use Tap Water: Always avoid rinsing your lenses with tap water to avoid dangerous pathogens that can cause corneal ulceration leading to permanent vision loss.

Proper care and maintenance of your scleral lenses are essential to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. Always follow your optometrist's guidance for the best practices tailored to your needs.

Patient Reviews

4.6

213 Reviews

- Dec. 27, 2025

I was a new patient and from the time I entered the service was impeccable. I'm a big stickler on cu... Show Morestomer service and I will say from the smiles to the greetings they had me before I even saw the doctor. The first point of contact was professional and efficient, just very smooth. Was called back in less than five minutes of entering. Again, very professional, greeted with a smile, a great greeting and a genuine sense of caring. The first point of contact was a technician to do the preliminary testing for the doctor and she explain every step in great detail. Very impressed! Took me to the patient room for a couple more test with the tech and then was told that the doctor would be right in. Yup, 3 minutes later Dr. Amy came in, greeted me like we knew each other for years. Made me feel so comfortable. I did have a eye problem that developed recently that had me a little worried and Dr. Amy made me feel relaxed and that there was nothing to worry about right off the bat. She is amazing, explained and showed me exactly what was going on with my slight blurred vision in one eye and made sure I knew it was nothing even remotely serious to make me feel better through her whole exam. I'm telling you, I'm 60 years old and been around and this is the first time in a vision center that I felt like a true patient and not looked at for $$. The explanation of all the tests, the showing of the pictures of my eyes and telling me my eyes were good with all the explanations, they were not perfect but not trying to sell me a prescription that was not needed. I use readers and she explained my insurance and what they pay every year. I asked her since a prescription wasn't needed could I use my insurance benefit for good readers with the right strength in each eye instead of the $20 pair from walgreens. Took me to the optician and we found a pair that my insurance covered and I will have a great pair of readers soon. My experience here was just awesome!! I would definitely recommend this business if you want great service and awesome knowledgeable doctors, along with very knowledgeable opticians that were never in a hurry and never a "just buy those" mentality. They really cared!! This place definitely deserves a 10 out of 5 in my book and that says alot coming from someone who holds very high standards!! Thank you Dr. Amy and your team for the utmost professionalism that you and your team showed this patient!!