Scleral Lens Care and Cleaning: A Patient Guide
Understanding Your Scleral Lenses and Why Proper Care Matters
Scleral lenses are larger than traditional soft or rigid gas permeable contacts. They vault over your cornea and limbal area and rest on the conjunctiva overlying the sclera. This design creates a fluid-filled space between the lens and your cornea, which helps with vision correction and keeps your eye surface moist and comfortable. Scleral lens designs are individualized to match your specific eye shape and medical needs.
Because of their larger size and unique fit, scleral lenses require special handling and cleaning methods. The tear reservoir between the lens and your eye can collect debris during the day, and midday fogging is a common occurrence that may require lens removal and refilling.
Daily cleaning removes protein, lipids, and mucus that build up on your lenses throughout the day. These deposits can cloud your vision and create a surface where bacteria and other microorganisms can grow. When you clean your lenses properly, you reduce the risk of eye infections and maintain clear, comfortable vision.
Regular care also helps your lenses maintain their correct shape and optical quality. Lenses that are not cleaned well can develop surface changes that affect how they fit and how clearly you see through them.
Skipping cleaning steps or using the wrong solutions can lead to serious complications. Eye infections are the most concerning risk, and they can develop quickly when bacteria or fungi grow on poorly cleaned lenses. Some infections can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
- Cloudy or blurry vision from debris and protein buildup
- Eye redness, pain, and sensitivity to light
- Corneal infections that may require antibiotic treatment
- Lens warping or damage that requires early replacement
- Uncomfortable lens wear that limits how long you can use your lenses each day
With excellent care, most scleral lenses last between one and three years. The exact lifespan depends on the lens material, how carefully you handle them, and how well you follow the cleaning routine we recommend. Some patients need replacement sooner if their prescription changes or if their lenses develop deposits that cannot be removed.
We will monitor your lenses at each checkup to determine when replacement is necessary. Investing time in proper daily care helps you get the maximum lifespan from each set of lenses and protects the money you spend on them.
Step-by-Step Daily Cleaning Routine
We recommend using only cleaning and disinfecting solutions specifically approved for rigid gas permeable or scleral contact lenses. Your lens care regimen has three key components: a daily surfactant cleaner for rubbing and removing debris, an approved disinfection system such as multipurpose rigid gas permeable solution or hydrogen peroxide, and preservative-free sterile saline for rinsing and filling your lenses before insertion. Never substitute household cleaners, saliva, or solutions meant for soft contact lenses.
Hydrogen peroxide disinfection systems must be fully neutralized before lenses touch your eye. Never rinse lenses with peroxide and never fill the scleral bowl with peroxide, as this can cause severe chemical injury. Preservative-free sterile saline is often single-use or has a short discard window once opened, so follow the product label carefully. Always check expiration dates and follow the product label discard timeline after opening, which varies widely by product type.
Our office will provide specific product recommendations based on your lens type and any sensitivities you may have. Your cleaning and disinfection regimen should be individualized per your prescriber instructions and solution labeling.
After removing your lenses, inspect them for debris such as hair or grit. If present, rinse the lens gently first to remove particles before rubbing, which helps avoid scratching. Place each lens in the palm of your hand with the bowl facing up, apply several drops of your cleaning solution, and gently rub the lens in a circular motion with your fingertip for at least 20 seconds. This mechanical rubbing is the most important step for removing deposits and bacteria.
- Use gentle pressure to avoid cracking or scratching the lens
- Clean both the inside bowl and the outer curved surface
- Rinse thoroughly with the solution type allowed by your system, such as sterile saline or multipurpose solution
- Never rinse with hydrogen peroxide systems before neutralization or with tap water
- Confirm with your prescriber which solutions are safe for rinsing in your specific regimen
After cleaning and rinsing, place each lens in a clean storage case filled with fresh disinfecting solution. The lenses must soak for at least the minimum time recommended by the solution manufacturer, usually four to six hours. Confirm the minimum soak time per the product label and do not shorten it, as this reduces the effectiveness of disinfection. This soaking time allows the disinfecting ingredients to kill any remaining bacteria or fungi.
Always use fresh disinfecting solution each time you store your lenses. Never top off old solution or reuse solution from the previous night, as this reduces disinfecting power and can introduce contamination. Sterile saline is not a disinfectant and should not be used for overnight storage unless specifically directed for a particular medical protocol by your eye doctor.
Your lens case needs regular cleaning just like your lenses. Each morning after you insert your lenses, empty the old solution from the case and rinse it with fresh disinfecting solution or sterile saline. Let the case air dry completely by placing it with the caps off on a clean surface away from potential contaminants.
Replace your storage case at least every three months or sooner if you notice any cracks, cloudiness, or film buildup. We often provide new cases at your regular checkup appointments, and you can always request extras to keep on hand.
Daily Preparation and Maintenance
Before inserting your lenses in the morning, remove them from the storage case and rinse them with fresh sterile saline. This step removes any residue from the overnight disinfecting solution and ensures the lens is ready for comfortable wear. Inspect each lens carefully for any cracks, chips, or debris before placing it on your eye.
Fill the bowl of the lens with fresh non-preserved sterile saline just before insertion. This saline acts as a cushion between your cornea and the lens and should be replaced with fresh saline each time you insert your lenses.
Many scleral lens wearers experience midday fogging as debris accumulates in the tear reservoir. If your vision becomes cloudy or hazy during the day, you may need to remove your lenses, clean them, and refill them with fresh preservative-free sterile saline. Always wash your hands thoroughly before any midday lens handling.
- Remove lenses over a clean towel or safe surface
- Rub and rinse with your cleaning solution if instructed by your eye doctor
- Refill the bowl with fresh preservative-free sterile saline only
- Never top off the saline already in the lens bowl
- Reinsert following your usual insertion technique
Following the same routine each day helps you build safe habits and avoid mistakes. Use this quick checklist to make sure you complete every important step.
- Rub each lens for at least 20 seconds with cleaning solution
- Rinse with an approved solution per your regimen
- Disinfect overnight in fresh solution for the full recommended time
- Rinse lenses with sterile saline before insertion each morning
- Fill the lens bowl with fresh preservative-free sterile saline
- Inspect each lens for damage before placing it on your eye
- Clean and air dry your lens case daily
Safe Insertion and Removal Techniques
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your lenses or your eyes. Use a lint-free towel to dry your hands completely, as wet or soapy fingers can contaminate your lenses or make them slippery and difficult to handle. Avoid soaps with lotions, oils, or strong fragrances that can transfer to your lenses.
Set up your workspace with good lighting and a clean surface. Keep your supplies organized and within easy reach, including your lens case, sterile saline, a small mirror, and a plunger if you use one for insertion.
Hold the clean scleral lens steady in a holder or on your fingertips with the bowl facing upward. Carefully fill the entire bowl with non-preserved sterile saline until it forms a slightly rounded dome of liquid. Make sure the saline is fresh and has not been contaminated by touching the bottle tip to any surface.
- Fill the lens just before insertion to prevent evaporation
- Use only non-preserved sterile saline for filling, not tap water
- Avoid spilling saline while moving the lens toward your eye
- Check that the saline is clear with no floating particles
Position your face parallel to the floor or a mirror and hold the saline-filled lens close to your eye. In one smooth motion, place the lens gently on your eye while looking straight ahead or slightly downward. The goal is to seat the lens on your eye without trapping air bubbles under the center.
If you see a large air bubble under the lens after insertion, remove the lens and try again. Peripheral bubbles can still cause discomfort or dryness in some cases. If any bubble persists, causes symptoms, or is located near the center of your vision, remove the lens and reinsert it to achieve a better seal.
To remove your lens, lean forward over a clean towel or use a small suction plunger designed for scleral lenses. If using your fingers, gently pull your upper and lower eyelids apart to break the seal, allowing the lens to tip forward and drop into your hand or onto the towel. If using a plunger, moisten it with sterile saline, press it gently to the lower third of the lens, and pull straight out.
- Remove your lenses over a towel or padded surface to prevent breakage if dropped
- Place the plunger on the lower third or edge of the lens as directed by your clinician
- Moisten the plunger with sterile saline, not tap water
- Avoid pulling on the conjunctiva or eyelid tissue
- Stop immediately and reassess if you experience pain during removal
Never try to pinch or slide a scleral lens off your eye as you might with a soft contact lens. The rigid material and large size require a different technique to avoid discomfort and prevent damage to your eye or the lens. If you have repeated difficulty, do not persist for extended attempts.
If your lens feels stuck or does not come out easily, do not force it. Apply a few drops of sterile saline or rewetting drops to your eye to add moisture and help break the suction seal. Blink several times and try the removal technique again after waiting a minute or two.
Sometimes a lens adheres more firmly if your eye is dry or if you have worn the lens for many hours. If you continue to have difficulty after several gentle attempts, contact our office for guidance rather than pulling or tugging on the lens. If you cannot remove the lens promptly or you experience pain or vision changes, seek urgent evaluation from our office the same day or follow our after-hours urgent care instructions.
If you use a plunger or other insertion tool, it needs regular cleaning and maintenance just like your lenses and case. Follow the cleaning method recommended by your eye doctor, and make sure the plunger is completely air dried before each use to prevent contamination.
- Clean your plunger according to your clinician instructions after each use
- Allow the plunger to air dry fully on a clean surface
- Store plungers away from bathroom sinks and other contaminated areas
- Replace plungers when they become worn, sticky, or damaged
- Never share your plunger or insertion tools with anyone else
Proper Storage and Daily Handling
Use only lens cases designed for rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses. These cases have wells deep enough to hold your lenses and enough disinfecting solution to cover them completely. Mark each side of the case clearly with right and left labels to prevent mixing up your lenses, especially if your prescription is different for each eye.
Keep your case in a clean, dry location away from the bathroom sink and toilet. Moisture and airborne bacteria in bathrooms can contaminate your case even when it is closed.
Tap water contains bacteria, amoebas, and other microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections. Even filtered or boiled water is not safe for contact lens use. Always use sterile saline or the contact lens solutions we recommend for rinsing, filling, and storing your lenses.
- Avoid rinsing your case or lenses under the faucet
- Do not fill your lenses with tap water for insertion
- Never rinse plungers under tap water unless followed by appropriate cleaning and drying per your clinician instructions
- Do not expose lenses to shower water, swimming pools, lakes, or hot tubs
- Keep water bottles and lens solutions clearly separated
- Close your eyes if you get splashed with tap water while wearing lenses
When traveling, pack extra solution, sterile saline, and at least one backup lens case. Carry your solutions in your luggage following airline regulations for liquids, or purchase travel-sized bottles. If you need to clean your lenses while away from home, use bottled sterile saline rather than tap water from unfamiliar locations.
Bring a copy of your lens prescription and our office contact information in case you need emergency replacement lenses during your trip. Keep your lenses and supplies in a secure, clean bag to prevent loss or contamination.
We recommend having at least one backup pair of scleral lenses in case your primary lenses crack, break, or get lost. Store backup lenses in fresh disinfecting solution and replace the solution monthly even if you are not using them. Coverage for backup lenses varies widely by insurance plan, and some plans may not cover spare pairs, so check your specific benefits.
Keep extra bottles of cleaning solution, disinfecting solution, and sterile saline on hand so you never run out. Stock additional lens cases and any special tools you use for insertion or removal.
Contamination often happens through small habits that seem harmless. Never allow the tips of solution bottles to touch your lenses, hands, or any surface, as this introduces bacteria into the bottle. Do not share your lenses or lens care products with anyone else, even family members.
- Keep solution bottles tightly closed when not in use
- Discard any solution that has changed color or appears cloudy
- Avoid touching the inside of your lens case with your fingers
- Never store lenses in saliva or use saliva to wet them
- Replace solutions that have been open longer than the label recommends
Follow-Up Care and Lens Replacement
When you first receive your scleral lenses, we typically schedule early follow-up visits within the first few weeks and months to ensure proper fit, comfort, and handling technique. Once your fit is stable and you are managing your lenses well, most patients need checkups at least every six months during the first year of lens wear. After your fit is well established, we may extend visits to once per year, though some patients with progressive eye conditions or complicated fits require more frequent monitoring every three to four months.
Regular appointments allow us to check your lens fit, evaluate your eye health, and update your prescription if needed. We can also professionally clean your lenses and assess whether they need replacement.
Even with good home care, lenses can develop stubborn deposits that regular cleaning cannot remove. If you notice your vision is less clear than usual even after cleaning, or if your lenses look cloudy or hazy, they may benefit from professional cleaning. We use specialized cleaning solutions and techniques to remove deposits without damaging the lens material.
Bring your lenses to your appointments so we can inspect them under magnification. Sometimes we can restore lenses to excellent condition, while other times the buildup indicates it is time for replacement.
Your vision prescription can change over time due to natural aging, progression of eye conditions, or healing after surgery. If you notice your vision is not as sharp as it used to be, or if you experience more eyestrain or headaches, schedule an appointment for a prescription check. We will measure your current vision and determine whether new lenses with updated parameters would improve your sight.
Some eye conditions like keratoconus or post-surgical corneal changes can progress gradually, requiring adjustments to lens power or curvature. Regular monitoring helps us catch these changes early and keep your vision optimized.
At each visit, we examine how your lenses fit on your eyes using special instruments and dyes that show the fluid layer under the lens. We check that the lens vaults properly over your cornea without touching it and that the edge rests evenly on the sclera without causing irritation. We also measure your vision with the lenses and inspect the health of your cornea and other eye structures.
- Lens centration and movement on your eye
- Clarity of your vision with current lenses
- Condition of the lens material for cracks or deposits
- Health of your cornea, conjunctiva, and eyelids
- Comfort level and wearing time you can achieve
We usually recommend replacing scleral lenses every one to two years, though some patients can extend lens life to three years with excellent care and stable prescriptions. Factors that affect replacement timing include deposit buildup, prescription changes, lens damage, and changes in corneal shape. We will discuss the best replacement schedule for your specific situation based on your eye health and lifestyle.
Insurance coverage for contact lenses varies widely, so check your benefits to understand how often replacement lenses are covered. Planning ahead for replacement costs helps you budget for this important aspect of your eye care.
Recognizing Problems and Warning Signs
Remove your lenses immediately if you experience sudden eye pain, burning, or significant redness. These symptoms can indicate an injury, infection, or allergic reaction that requires prompt attention. Do not reinsert your lenses until we have examined your eyes and determined the cause of your symptoms.
Mild redness at the end of a long wearing day may be normal, but redness that appears suddenly or is accompanied by pain always warrants lens removal and a call to our office.
Sudden vision changes while wearing your lenses can signal several problems. Cloudy or filmy deposits on the lens surface reduce clarity and may indicate incomplete cleaning or a reaction to your solutions. Distorted or blurred vision can also mean your lens has moved out of position, has a crack, or has warped.
Remove your lenses and inspect them carefully under good light. Clean them thoroughly and try reinserting to see if your vision improves. If the problem continues or if you see visible damage to the lens, contact our office and consider using backup lenses while we evaluate the situation.
Inspect your lenses daily for any cracks, chips, or warped areas. Even tiny cracks can scratch your eye and create openings for bacteria to hide where cleaning solutions cannot reach. Warped lenses will not fit properly and can cause discomfort and poor vision. If you suspect warping or damage, bring your lenses to our office for professional evaluation under magnification.
- Hold lenses up to bright light to spot fine cracks
- Check edges carefully for chips or rough spots
- Look for any distortion or irregular shape in the lens profile
- Never wear damaged lenses even if they seem comfortable
Eye infections are rare with proper lens care but require urgent treatment. Warning signs include severe redness, pain that gets worse over hours, thick discharge, extreme light sensitivity, and decreasing vision. If you notice any combination of these symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and contact our office the same day.
Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own. Early treatment of infections gives the best chance for full recovery without permanent vision loss. Bring your lenses and lens case to your appointment so we can test them for contamination if needed.
Contact us promptly if you experience any of the following situations. We have protocols for urgent lens-related problems and can often see you the same day or provide guidance over the phone to keep you safe until your appointment.
- Sudden vision loss or significant vision decrease
- Eye pain that does not improve after removing lenses
- Injury to your eye while inserting or removing lenses
- Suspected infection with redness, discharge, or light sensitivity
- A lens that breaks or becomes stuck and cannot be removed
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you should only use solutions specifically designed for rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses. Solutions made for soft contact lenses have different ingredients that may not clean or disinfect rigid lenses properly and could even damage the lens material over time. Always follow our recommendations for approved solutions.
Wearing time varies by individual and depends on your eyes, tear production, ocular surface health, and how well your lenses fit. Many patients can comfortably wear scleral lenses for 12 to 16 hours per day, but some may need to limit wear due to dryness, fogging, or underlying eye conditions. Start with shorter wearing times when you first get your lenses and gradually build up. If your lenses become uncomfortable before the end of the day, contact our office to check the fit and review your individual wearing schedule.
We do not recommend sleeping in scleral lenses unless we have specifically prescribed them for overnight wear in certain medical situations. Sleeping in lenses significantly increases the risk of serious eye infections and reduces oxygen flow to your cornea. Always remove your lenses before going to bed and clean them properly.
If you drop a lens on the floor, pick it up carefully and clean it thoroughly using your regular rubbing and rinsing routine. Inspect the lens closely under good light for any cracks or chips that may have occurred from the fall. If the lens looks undamaged and feels comfortable after insertion, it is usually safe to wear, but let us know at your next appointment so we can examine it carefully.
Lens fit should remain fairly consistent, but small changes can occur as your eyes change or as lenses age. A lens that suddenly feels very tight or very loose compared to usual may indicate a problem with lens warping, eye swelling, or changes in your eye shape. Schedule an appointment so we can evaluate the fit and determine whether lens adjustment or replacement is needed.
We strongly discourage exposing your scleral lenses to any water, including swimming pools, lakes, hot tubs, and showers, even if you wear goggles. Water exposure is a major risk factor for severe eye infections. Never wear your lenses in hot tubs under any circumstances.
If your lenses are accidentally exposed to water, remove them as soon as possible, clean and disinfect them thoroughly before any reinsertion, and monitor closely for symptoms such as pain, redness, light sensitivity, or reduced vision. Contact our office the same day if any symptoms develop after water exposure.
Getting Help With Scleral Lens Care
Our team is here to support you throughout your scleral lens journey, from the initial fitting to ongoing care and troubleshooting. If you have questions about cleaning techniques, experience any discomfort, or notice changes in your vision, please reach out to our office. Proper lens care protects your investment in clear vision and keeps your eyes healthy for years to come.