Scleral Lenses

LENS SOLUTION, CLEANING, AND HANDLING QUESTIONS:

Do I need to clean and disinfect my lenses every night?

Yes! Cleaning the lenses with an approved solution removes deposits from the lens surface and kills microbes that potentially cause eye infections. Clear care cleaning solution is a good start for most lenses.

Why do I need to use preservative-free solutions to fill the lens?

There is minimal tear exchange when the lens is on the eye. Long-term exposure to preservatives can cause a sensitivity or toxicity to the cornea resulting in redness and irritation.

Can I rinse my lenses with tap water?

No. Even tap water can harbor pathogens including Acanthamoeba, the dangerous amoeba that can cause painful, vision threatening eye infections. It is recommended to rinse lenses with non-preserved sterile saline.

Can I use eye drops with my lenses in?

If you require eye drops for conditions such as glaucoma or allergies, it is recommended they be instilled at least 5 minutes prior to application of the lenses or after lenses are removed.

Can I wear makeup or face creams or lotions with my lenses?

Yes, but apply lenses prior to using makeup or facial products. If these products come in contact with the lens surface, it can disrupt the quality of vision.

How long do my application and removal plungers last for?

Plungers should be replaced every 3 months, or sooner as needed.

LENS WEAR QUESTIONS

How many hours per day is it safe for me to wear my lenses?

After an initial adaptation period when you are gradually building up your wear time, the lenses can be worn for the full day. Keep in mind that every person is different, and no lens should be worn if it becomes uncomfortable, painful, or if the eye becomes red and irritated. Ultimately, your wear time should be determined by you and your eye doctor.

How do I know if there is an air bubble under the lens?

If you apply the lens and notice that your vision is blurry or the lens feels uncomfortable, you may have an air bubble trapped underneath. Sometimes you can see the bubble if you look in the mirror, but other times you cannot. If you think there is a bubble, remove the lens and reapply it.

What if my vision is foggy or cloudy?

Foggy or cloudy vision is often attributed to two causes. First, there may be mucous or debris trapped between the lens and the cornea. This can occur when the lens does not align properly to the eye. Second, the front surface of the lens may not be wetting well. There are multiple reasons for this including poor tear film chemistry, improper cleaning, or lens surface breakdown. On rare occasions, foggy vision can also occur when the cornea becomes edematous (swollen). If your vision is still foggy after removing the lens, please inform Dr. Ardakani. It is strongly recommended that any foggy or cloudy vision be addressed with your eye care practitioner.

Is it safe for me to sleep in my lenses?

No. Sleeping in lenses reduces oxygen transmission to the eye. This can cause swelling of the cornea and the abnormal growth of blood vessels into the cornea.

LENS REMOVAL QUESTIONS

What do I do if I cannot remove the lens from my eye?

First, try not to panic. We understand it is stressful not being able to get a lens out of your eye, but if you remain calm and are careful with your placement of the plunger you will almost always be able to remove the lens. Be sure that you are placing the plunger peripherally on the lens, remembering that you should not have to pull very hard on the plunger once it has established suction. If you have trouble establishing suction with the lens, try wetting the end of the plunger.

If you still cannot get the lens off using this method, use your finger to push on the white part of your eye, just adjacent to the lens edge. This will usually create an air pocket in the lens and should make it much easier to remove with the plunger.

A third method that you can try is to actually slide the edge of the plunger underneath the peripheral lens edge, and use it as a lever to dislocate the lens. If you resort to this third method, the lens may flip out of the eye and fall, so be sure to have a good method of catching the lens (ie. soft clean towel on counter).
If you have tried these removal techniques and still cannot remove the lens, you may need to call Dr. Ardakani for professional assistance.

I can see a ring where the lens was on my eye after I remove the lens. Is this normal?

Yes, it is normal. We call it an impression ring. Similar to when you remove a watch or a pair of socks, there is often an impression in the tissue due to the placement of a device. This is not a problem and should disappear within about 5 minutes. If, however, you experience a significant amount of redness in this area after removing the lenses, especially if it persists after a few minutes, call Dr. Ardakani, as this may indicate that the lens is fitting too tightly.

OTHER QUESTIONS

How long do my lenses last for?

If cared for properly, most lenses are expected to last at least one year.

How do I store backup or extra lenses?

Lenses that are not being used should be disinfected and stored dry in a clean case.

*Lenses coated with Tangible Hydrapeg should be stored wet, since storing them dry will damage the coating

How often do I need to follow up with my eye care practitioner?

This is patient dependent. Scleral lenses are often fit on irregular and diseased eyes, so it is important to evaluate the long-term health of the eye while wearing scleral lenses. Usually every 6-12 months is recommended by Dr. Ardakani