Scleral Lens Care: Cleaning, Storage, and Daily Handling Done Right
Scleral lenses require a specific daily routine to stay clean, comfortable, and safe. Getting each step right, from washing your hands to choosing the correct saline, protects both your eyes and your investment.
Key Takeaways
Always rub and rinse your lenses with an approved GP (gas-permeable) cleaning solution before soaking them overnight.
Fill the bowl of the lens completely with preservative-free saline before insertion to avoid trapped air bubbles.
According to a survey cited by Review of Contact Lenses, 72% of experienced fitters prescribe GP solutions for storage, making them the most widely recommended option.
Mid-day fogging affects a significant portion of wearers; removing, rinsing, and refilling the lens can resolve it quickly.
Never use tap water, saliva, or standard soft contact lens solutions directly on scleral lenses.
If you notice persistent redness, pain, or blurred vision that does not clear after a rinse, stop wearing the lens and contact your eye care provider.
Identifying Your Lenses Before You Touch Them
Before any handling begins, you need to know which lens is for which eye. Many scleral lenses are marked with a small dot or engraving on the edge. Some practices use colored cases (blue for right, red for left) to prevent mix-ups. At Texas Contact Lens Institute, located at 6020 W Parker Rd Ste 260, Plano, TX 75093, your provider will walk you through your specific lens markings at your fitting appointment. Mixing up lenses can cause distorted vision and discomfort, so build a consistent habit of always starting with the same eye.
How to Apply and Remove Scleral Lenses Without Complications
Putting Your Lenses In
Wash your hands thoroughly with a fragrance-free, lint-free soap and dry with a lint-free towel.
Place the lens on a three-fingered plunger or your fingertips, bowl-side up.
Fill the bowl completely with preservative-free saline, leaving no air pockets. Trapped air is the primary cause of mid-day bubbles.
Lean forward over a flat surface (or use a tabletop mirror), pull down your lower lid, and look straight down into the lens as you apply it.
Blink slowly and check your vision before standing.
Taking Your Lenses Out
Removal is typically done with a small removal plunger. Position the plunger on the lower third of the lens, press gently, and slide the lens off the eye. If you prefer a manual method, use your index finger and thumb to gently break the seal at the lower lid margin. Never pull directly off the center of the lens.
Practical Tips for Easier Handling
Work over a folded towel to cushion any dropped lens.
If bubbles appear after insertion, remove the lens, refill with saline, and reinsert.
Lubricating drops approved for scleral lenses can ease removal if the lens feels stuck after a long wear day. According to a study published inEye Contact Lens (2023), 75% of scleral lens wearers reported mid-day fogging, which is often resolved with a simple removal and saline refill.
Scleral Lens Care: Cleaning, Storage, and Lens Case Hygiene
Daily Cleaning Protocol
Proper scleral lens care starts the moment you take your lenses out. Follow this sequence every night:
Rub each lens gently with a few drops of a GP-formulated contact lens cleaner for 20 to 30 seconds per side.
Rinse thoroughly with preservative-free saline to remove all cleaner residue.
Place the lens in its case and fill completely with your prescribed GP soaking or conditioning solution.
Never let lenses air-dry; drying concentrates deposits and increases the risk of microbial contamination.
Monthly Deep Cleaning for Protein and Debris Buildup
Daily cleaning alone does not remove all protein deposits over time. Your provider may recommend a weekly or monthly enzyme cleaner or a dedicated protein removal tablet. Signs that buildup has accumulated include hazy vision that does not clear with a saline rinse and a lens surface that feels rough or tacky. The Scleral Lens Education Society recommends discussing a deep-cleaning schedule with your fitter at every follow-up appointment.
Lens Case and Plunger Maintenance
Rinse your case with fresh soaking solution (never tap water) after each use and let it air-dry face-down on a clean tissue.
Replace your case every one to three months or whenever you notice discoloration or film buildup.
Clean removal plungers with the same soaking solution weekly.
Choosing the Right Solutions: Saline, Cleaners, and Storage Options
Not all contact lens solutions work for scleral lenses. Using the wrong product is one of the most common mistakes new wearers make.
According to the survey data cited by Review of Contact Lenses, 48% of experienced fitters chose peroxide-based systems as their storage solution of choice, compared to 72% who recommended GP conditioning solutions. Some practitioners use both: a GP cleaner for daily rubbing and a peroxide system for periodic deep disinfection. Always confirm your specific product lineup with your provider before switching anything.
For saline selection, unit-dose preservative-free ampules are the gold standard for lens filling. Multi-dose bottles labeled "preservative-free" are acceptable but should be discarded within the manufacturer's recommended window, typically 30 days after opening. You can find additional guidance at the Prpic Eyecare Centre scleral lens care resource for a thorough breakdown of solution categories.
Things to Know
Tap water carries microorganisms, including Acanthamoeba, which can cause a serious and difficult-to-treat eye infection. Never rinse lenses or your case with it. TheNIH has published research on Acanthamoeba keratitis linked to contact lens water exposure.
The SCOPE study reported by Contact Lens Spectrum (2024) found more than 84,000 patient descriptions from experienced fitters, reinforcing that scleral lens fitting and care protocols are increasingly standardized across the U.S.
Wearers spending significant time on dry eye management (72% spent over 20 minutes daily, per 2023 data) often benefit the most from consistent lens hygiene, since a clean lens surface reduces ocular surface irritation.
Travel care is often overlooked. Pre-filled saline ampules travel better than multi-dose bottles and do not require refrigeration. Keep a small kit with a plunger, saline, and your cleaner in your carry-on.
If you switch from soft contact lenses, expect an adaptation period. The insertion technique, solution system, and wear time (mean daily wear averages around 9.3 hours, per the Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology, 2025) differ significantly from soft lens routines.
When to Stop Wearing and Seek Professional Help
Warning signs that require you to remove your lenses and call your provider include sudden pain, significant redness, discharge, or a sudden drop in vision that does not resolve when you remove the lens. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own. For patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Texas Contact Lens Institute can be reached directly at +1 972-299-8675.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use hydrogen peroxide systems every night for scleral lens storage?
Yes, but only if the system is fully neutralized before insertion. Peroxide must neutralize for the full time specified on the packaging, typically at least six hours. Inserting a lens with active peroxide remaining causes immediate and severe pain.
Q: How often should I replace my scleral lens case?
Replace your case every one to three months. Cases accumulate biofilm even with regular cleaning, and an old case is a common source of lens contamination that can lead to eye infections.
Q: Why does my vision get foggy a few hours into wear?
Mid-day fogging is usually caused by debris or lipids migrating under the lens. Remove the lens, discard the saline, refill with fresh preservative-free saline, and reinsert. If fogging persists daily, discuss it with your fitter.
Q: Is it safe to nap while wearing scleral lenses?
Most scleral lenses are prescribed for daytime wear only. Sleeping in them reduces oxygen flow to the cornea and raises infection risk. Unless your provider has specifically prescribed extended wear, remove them before sleeping.
Q: What should I do if I drop a scleral lens on the floor?
Rinse it immediately with fresh saline, rub it with GP cleaner, rinse again, and inspect it carefully for scratches or chips. Do not reinsert a lens that shows visible damage. Contact your provider for a replacement.
The Bottom Line on Scleral Lens Care
Scleral lens care is methodical by design. Each step, from the lens fill before insertion to the overnight soak, exists to protect your corneal health and keep your vision clear. Skipping steps or substituting unapproved products introduces risk that is simply not worth taking.
Your next step is straightforward: review your current solution lineup against the guidance here and confirm it with your provider at your next visit. If you are in the Plano, TX area, call Texas Contact Lens Institute at +1 972-299-8675 to schedule a care review or troubleshoot any ongoing comfort concerns.
