How to Care for Scleral Lenses

Dr. Russel Lazarus, January 11, 2021
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Taking proper care of your scleral lenses will reduce your risk of contact lens complications and enable you to benefit from all of their unique advantages. 

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be a substitute for the medical advice of your eye care professional. 

If you suspect you have an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

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1. Always remove your scleral lenses before going to bed. Sleeping in your contact lenses can be dangerous to your eye health and can lead to corneal abrasions, ulcers, and other serious complications.

2. Clean your scleral lenses daily with a multi-purpose lens solution. Protein deposits, debris and bacteria can accumulate on the surface of your lens, overtime.

A buildup of foreign matter can lead to serious eye infections and sight-threatening complications. To protect your eye health, be sure to clean your scleral lenses on a daily basis.

3. Deep clean and sterilize your scleral lenses with a peroxide cleaner. Soaking your lenses in a peroxide cleaner for around six hours, or as directed by your doctor, will deeply clean and sterilize your lenses.

Caution: Always wait the full six hours before inserting your lenses, as un-neutralized peroxide will sting your eyes. 

4. Always use a preservative-free solution to fill your scleral lens storage case. Never use tap water to replace your lens cleaner or storage solution. Tap water contains acanthamoeba, a microorganism that can cause a severe, painful and sight-threatening eye infection.

5. Replace your lens storage case monthly, or as directed by your eye doctor. Replacing your lens storage case on a regular basis will reduce your risk of bacterial contamination and keep your scleral lenses clean and sterile for repeated use.

Caring for your scleral lenses is essential for your eye health and vision. 

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

If you have any questions about caring for your scleral lenses, contact an optometrist near you to speak with someone who can help you.