Properly cleaning your scleral lens is crucial for maintaining eye health and comfort. The primary method involves using a rigid contact lens solution and manual rubbing.
Step-by-Step Scleral Lens Cleaning
Cleaning your scleral lenses effectively helps remove proteins, lipids, and other debris that accumulate during wear, preventing irritation and potential infections. Follow these steps carefully:
- Prepare Your Hands and Surface: Always start with clean, dry hands. Ensure the surface you are working on is clean and free from lint or dust.
- Apply Solution: Place a few drops of rigid contact lens solution on the palm of your hand.
- Position the Lens: Gently place the scleral lens in the palm of your hand, adding a few drops of solution on the lens itself.
- Rub the Front Surface: Using your finger-pad, gently rub the front surface (the convex side) of the lens for at least 10 seconds. Use a back-and-forth or circular motion as recommended by your eye care professional.
- Clean the Back Surface: Turn the lens over. The back surface (concave) is best cleaned by moving your thumb across the surface to ensure thorough cleaning of the bowl area. Rub this side for at least 10 seconds as well.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After rubbing, rinse the lens thoroughly with a fresh stream of the recommended rinsing or saline solution.
Why This Rubbing Step is Important: This manual cleaning step is vital because it removes material that deposits on the lens during wear, including proteins, lipids, and environmental debris, which cannot always be fully removed by soaking alone.
Following these steps ensures your scleral lenses are clean and ready for disinfection or storage, contributing to clear vision and comfortable wear. Always use the specific solutions recommended by your eye care professional for cleaning and storage.
