Caring for a scleral lens takes more precision than caring for a standard contact lens. These lenses trap fluid against your eye for hours at a time. Any lapse in cleaning can introduce bacteria to a fragile corneal surface.
That’s why every step, from filling the bowl to storing the case, matters more than it does with soft lenses.
Getting the routine right protects your vision and your comfort. This guide covers three things: what these lenses are, how to clean them, and how to store the case properly. Getting these steps right helps prevent infection.
Key Takeaways
- Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye, creating a protective fluid layer.
- Doctors commonly prescribe these lenses for conditions like keratoconus, corneal transplants, and chronic dry eye.
- Rinse and rub your lenses with fresh solution every time you remove them to prevent dangerous buildup.
- Never let tap water or homemade saline touch your lenses, your case, or your filling solution.
- Replacing your case every three months and air-drying it face-down lowers your infection risk significantly.
What Are Scleral Lenses and Who Needs Them?
Scleral lenses are large, gas-permeable lenses that vault over the entire corneal surface. Research featured in Clinical Ophthalmology describes them as large diameter lenses which rest over the sclera. Instead of touching the cornea like a soft lens, they rest on the sclera, the white part of the eye.
They hold a reservoir of fluid underneath. That fluid keeps the eye hydrated and smooths out an irregular corneal surface.
Who Benefits from This Type of Lens Fitting?
Doctors prescribe these lenses for people whose vision needs go beyond what soft or standard gas-permeable lenses can fix. Common reasons include keratoconus, corneal transplant recovery, post-LASIK ectasia, and pellucid marginal degeneration.
Patients with dry eye syndrome or Sjogren’s syndrome often benefit too. The fluid reservoir stays in contact with the cornea all day, relieving symptoms that artificial tears and soft lenses can’t fully address.
How Lens Size and Material Affect Fit
Lens size plays a big role in how well these lenses work. They span the whole cornea and land on less sensitive scleral tissue. That design corrects irregularities that would otherwise cause pain or blurry vision with smaller lenses. For people with irregular corneas, the improvement in clarity is often significant compared to glasses or soft lenses.
The lens material also has to allow enough oxygen through to keep the cornea healthy during long wear. A proper fit starts with a detailed map of the eye’s surface, so the lens matches each person’s unique shape. This kind of specialty contact lens evaluation is what makes custom fitting possible for complex cases.
Scleral Lenses vs. Hybrid Lenses and Surgery
Some patients ask about hybrid contact lenses, which combine a rigid center with a soft outer skirt. These work well for certain conditions. But people with significant corneal irregularities usually get more consistent comfort and vision from a full scleral design.
These lenses aren’t a substitute for refractive surgery. Many providers use them to manage vision after LASIK when the cornea has changed shape in ways glasses can’t correct. The lens works optically rather than altering the eye itself.
Because these lenses sit against a sensitive surface for hours, care mistakes carry higher risk than with regular contacts. What goes into the bowl, how you clean the lens, and how you maintain the case all shape corneal health.
The Right Way to Clean and Disinfect Your Lenses
Cleaning scleral lenses is not the same as cleaning soft lenses, and the difference matters. The CDC has advised contact lens wearers to consider a rub-and-rinse lens cleaning method, rather than relying on no-rub solutions, to cut down on germs and reduce infection risk. That rubbing step matters even if your solution bottle says no-rub.
Why Tap Water and Homemade Saline Are Never Safe Options
Tap water should never touch your lenses, case, or filling solution. It carries microorganisms that survive on lens surfaces and inside cases.
Homemade saline made from tap water is just as risky. Neither option is sterile, and neither meets basic lens care guidelines.
Choosing the Right Filling and Disinfecting Solution
Use a commercially prepared sterile saline or preservative-free solution approved for gas-permeable lenses. This solution fills the reservoir before the lens goes on your eye. Some patients use a dedicated cleaning solution, while others use a separate disinfecting solution for overnight soaking.
Your eye care team will recommend products that suit your lens material and your specific eye condition. It’s worth asking directly rather than guessing, since not every solution works for every lens type.
Topping off old solution is one of the most common mistakes in lens care. Adding fresh solution to what’s left in the case dilutes the disinfectant and lets contamination build. Empty the case completely, rinse it with fresh solution, and refill it every time, never with tap water.
Hydrogen Peroxide Systems and Neutralization
Hydrogen peroxide systems clean more thoroughly than multipurpose solutions for many patients. The peroxide destroys microbial contaminants by oxidizing them. A study in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy notes that lenses must fully convert to saline first, warning wearers to avoid pronounced stinging and possible corneal damage. Inserting a lens before neutralization finishes causes real irritation. Never cut that waiting period short.
Some patients add a protein remover tablet or enzymatic cleaner to their weekly routine for extra buildup. Ask your provider whether your case needs this extra step.
Multipurpose solutions are made for soft lenses, not gas-permeable ones, and using the wrong disinfectant can degrade the lens material.
Lens Case, Storage, and Handling Best Practices
A lens case is not a passive container. It’s an active part of your care system. Contamination inside transfers straight to the lens and then to your eye.
Cases are a frequent source of eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis. A study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases describes Acanthamoeba keratitis as a rare, potentially blinding, corneal infection. This organism lives in tap water, soil, and swimming pools. It can colonize a case that isn’t cleaned and dried properly.
Cleaning and Replacing Your Case
After cleaning your case, rinse it with fresh disinfecting solution and wipe it with a clean tissue. Set it face-down with the caps off so it can air dry. Face-down drying lets moisture escape instead of pooling inside, where harmful microorganisms thrive.
Replace your case at least every three months. Replace it sooner if you notice discoloration, a film on the inside, or any physical damage.
Handling Techniques That Protect Your Lenses and Eyes
Wash and dry your hands before every removal and insertion. Residue from lotions or food can transfer to the lens and irritate your eye.
Many wearers use a suction tool or inserter tool to place and remove their lenses without touching the bowl directly. These tools help people safely handle large lenses that are hard to manage with fingertips alone.
A suction cup attaches to the outer edge for removal. A platinum disc, built into some hydrogen peroxide cases, triggers the neutralization reaction instead. It’s not a handling tool. Knowing the difference is part of the patient education at your fitting your provider covers.
Inserting Your Lenses Safely
During insertion, fill the bowl completely with your prescribed solution before placing it on your eye. If you tip the lens or trap an air bubble, you’ll likely notice blurry vision and discomfort throughout the day. If bubbles form, remove the lens, rinse it, refill the bowl, and start over.
These lenses are often prescribed for complex, hard-to-fit eyes. For those patients, following every step of the storage routine matters even more. Skipping steps raises the risk of infection, corneal ulcers, and lasting damage to a surface that may already be compromised.
Your Scleral Lens Routine Could Be Putting Your Eyes at Risk
A scleral lens only works if the routine around it stays consistent. Rubbing and rinsing after every removal are not extra steps. Neither is filling the bowl with sterile saline or drying your case face-down. They protect the fluid layer that keeps your cornea comfortable and clear.
Skipping any of these steps raises your risk of irritation or infection. These lenses are often fitted for eyes that are already sensitive. If any part of your routine feels unclear, reach out to your provider before changing anything on your own.
Schedule a scleral lens fitting with Magnolia Eye Group to get a routine that matches your eyes and your lifestyle!
FAQs
Can I use tap water to rinse my scleral lenses in a pinch?
No. Tap water contains Acanthamoeba and other microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections, even with brief contact. There is no safe workaround here. If your solution runs out, remove your lenses and skip wearing them until you have the right products.
How often should I replace my lens case?
Replace your lens case at least every three months. Even with regular cleaning, a study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that microbial contamination affected 53% of lens cases. Swap it sooner if you notice discoloration, a film inside, or any damage to the case itself.
What solution should I use to fill the bowl of my scleral lens before inserting it?
Use a preservative-free saline solution approved for scleral lens use. Your eye care team will recommend a product based on your lens material and eye conditions. Do not use tap water, homemade saline, or a multipurpose solution made for soft lenses.
How do I know if my lenses are not being cleaned properly?
Watch for eye irritation, redness, blurry vision that doesn’t clear after blinking, or a haze on the lens surface. These signs mean your cleaning routine isn’t working. Remove your lenses and contact your eye doctor before wearing them again.
Do scleral lenses require different cleaning products than regular contact lenses?
Yes. Scleral lenses are gas-permeable lenses and need products approved for gas-permeable lens care. Soft lens multipurpose solutions are not appropriate and can damage the lens material or leave residue that irritates the eye. Your contact lens specialist will give you a list of approved products at your fitting.
Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC504422/
- https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/15/8/09-0225_article
- https://figshare.le.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Comparison_of_Hydrogen_Peroxide_Contact_Lens_Disinfection_Systems_and_Solutions_against_Acanthamoeba_polyphaga/10089305/1?file=18190292
- https://abcnews.com/Health/story?id=1827790
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4630203/