Tips on Taking Care of Your Scleral Contact Lenses

Many types of contact lenses can fulfill the needs of various patients and individuals, and scleral contact lenses are one of them. Scleral lenses are best for patients with irregular corneas, who suffer from dry eyes, have eyes that have deformities or are hard to fit with conventional eyewear. Their size and unique physical traits offer the best wearing experience and visual clarity. What should you remember when taking care of your scleral contact lenses? 

Hygiene

First off, before you handle your scleral lenses, make sure your hands and fingers are properly cleaned. Wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them with a lint-free cloth or towel to avoid getting anything onto your lenses. Exercising proper handwashing will minimize problems when you wear your lenses and keep your eyes feeling fresh. Next up is observing hygiene with your scleral lens use. Preventing buildup on them is key to having them stay clear and comfortable. When you remove them from your eyes, rub them for a few seconds with a lens cleaner, and then rinse both sides with a saline solution before storing them.

Dry Eye

People with dry eye syndrome often use scleral contact lenses because they offer a substantial amount of relief from the symptoms as well as the lenses themselves provide a soothing feeling and good hydration for the eyes. However, as helpful as scleral lenses are for alleviating the symptoms of dry eye, it is best to have proper medications and treatments for them as they will benefit you in the long run. If the unfortunate time comes that your dry eye has gotten so uncomfortable that wearing your lenses is getting difficult, why not try a pair of eyeglasses?

Sleeping

Do not ever try to sleep with your scleral lenses in, and always remember to remove them before you go to bed. When you’re sleeping, and you’re not blinking, the debris that is usually washed off by tears on the surface of your eyes collects on or around your lenses. The debris and other stuff in there can include dust, bacteria, protein deposits, lipid deposits and allergens. This debris can fester and cause eye problems, such as inflammation, infection and irritation. Always remember to take them off before bed, rinse them properly, and store them in the appropriate container for eventual use.

Contact Us!

Need the best professional low vision therapy? Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry is a leading and preferred provider of excellent and reputable optometric services since the 1970s! Our experienced doctors and staff perform comprehensive eye examinations and specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye conditions, diseases and problems. We also fit and recommend high-quality eyeglasses and contact lenses to help improve impaired vision. We are proud to state that it is our passion to provide each patient with a personalized experience utilizing state-of-the-art technology to evaluate, enhance and preserve vision and eye health.

For any inquiries, you can reach us at (703) 467-9080 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We proudly serve clients and patients in Reston, VA.