Before a scleral lens goes on your eye, the bowl of the lens is filled with saline. That fluid stays between the lens and your cornea while you wear it, so you want to use the right kind!
The short answer is: scleral lenses should be filled with preservative-free saline that is appropriate for use with scleral lenses and recommended by your eye doctor.
Dr. Letourneau talks with patients about which saline products are appropriate for their lenses, and our Specialty Contact Lens Coordinators, Molly and Cassie, help patients learn how to fill and insert their lenses correctly.
Why Does Preservative-Free Saline Matter?
The saline inside a scleral lens sits against the surface of your eye for hours at a time. Because of that, preservative-free saline is generally preferred for filling the lens.
Preservatives that may be fine in some other eye products can be irritating when they are trapped under a scleral lens for a long period of time. That is why it is important to use a saline made for this purpose instead of grabbing whatever contact lens solution happens to be in the cabinet.
Can You Use Regular Contact Lens Solution?
Usually, no. The solution you use to clean or disinfect your lenses is not necessarily the same solution you should use to fill them. This is one of the most common things new scleral lens wearers get confused about.
A simple way to think about it is:
The cleaning solution is for cleaning. Preservative-free saline is for filling the lens before it goes on your eye.
If you are not sure which bottle is which, ask our team! Molly and Cassie go over this during lens training because it is much easier to learn the routine correctly from the beginning.
Can You Use Tap Water?
No, tap water should not be used to fill scleral lenses! Even water that looks clean can contain microorganisms that should not be trapped underneath a contact lens. The same goes for using saliva or other non-approved liquids. Use the saline recommended by your eye care provider.
What Should You Look for in a Scleral Lens Saline?
The most important thing is that it is preservative-free and intended for use with contact lenses or scleral lenses. Some preservative-free saline products come in single-use vials, while others may come in other packaging designed to stay sterile.
Our team can help you decide which option works best for you. Dr. Letourneau may also make recommendations based on your eyes, your symptoms, and how your lenses are fitting.
What If the Saline Stings?
Saline should not normally cause significant burning or stinging. If it does, stop and check what you are using. Sometimes the wrong solution has been used by mistake, especially if the cleaning solution and filling saline are stored next to each other.
If you are sure you are using the correct product and it still causes irritation, contact our team. There may be another reason your eye is uncomfortable.
Does the Saline Need to Fill the Lens Completely?
Yes. Before insertion, the bowl of the scleral lens should be filled all the way with fresh preservative-free saline. If there is not enough fluid in the lens, you may trap an air bubble underneath it. That can make the lens feel uncomfortable and may affect your vision.
Molly and Cassie spend time helping patients practice this step because getting the lens full and keeping it full during insertion can take a little practice.
Should You Reuse Saline?
No, use fresh saline each time you fill the lens! Do not save leftover saline from earlier in the day or reuse fluid that has already been in the lens. If you need to remove your scleral lens during the day, refill it with fresh preservative-free saline before putting it back in.
What If You Wear Scleral Lenses for Dry Eye?
If you wear scleral lenses because of dry eye or another ocular surface condition, the filling solution becomes especially important. The fluid reservoir underneath the lens is part of what makes scleral lenses different from regular contacts.
For some patients, that layer of saline helps protect the surface of the eye and can make lens wear more comfortable. Dr. Letourneau looks at the whole picture, including the fit of the lens, the eye surface, and the products the patient is using. Sometimes a small change in lens care or filling solution can make a noticeable difference.
What If You Are Not Sure Which Saline to Buy?
Ask before guessing. There are a lot of products on the shelf that look similar, and not all of them are meant to do the same thing.
If you are a CLIK patient and you are not sure what to use, Dr. Letourneau, Molly, or Cassie can help you make sure you have the right product for your lenses!
The Bottom Line
The best saline for scleral lenses is a fresh, preservative-free saline that is appropriate for filling scleral lenses and recommended by your eye doctor.
Avoid tap water, do not substitute a cleaning solution for filling saline, and use fresh saline each time you insert the lens!
Here at Contact Lens Institute of Kansas, Dr. Letourneau and our Specialty Contact Lens Coordinators, Molly and Cassie, help patients feel comfortable with the everyday side of scleral lens wear, including which products to use and how to use them correctly.
We welcome patients from Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, and surrounding Kansas and Missouri communities who are looking for specialty contact lens care.
If you are ever unsure about which saline is right for your scleral lenses, just ask. It is always better to double-check than to guess!
