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My Big Fat Scleral Lens

Nonprofit resources for scleral lens users. Part of My Big Fat Scleral Lens, an education and safety initiative from The Dry Eye Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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Scleral Lens Glossary

"Cleaning" vs "disinfection": Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion about lens care instructions. "Saline": Misunderstandings about the term "saline" can lead to unsafe use of solutions. Use these terms instead:.

<h2 id="watch-out-for-these-common-misunderstandings">Watch out for these common misunderstandings</h2>&quot;Cleaning&quot; vs &quot;disinfection&quot;:&#xA0;Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion about lens care instructions.<ul><li>Cleaning refers to manual (digital) rubbing of a lens with some cleaning solution to remove debris and deposits.&#xA0;</li><li>Disinfection refers to soaking the lenses for a specified period of time (usually 4 to 6 hours, depending on the brand) in an approved disinfection solution.</li></ul>&quot;Saline&quot;: Misunderstandings about the term &quot;saline&quot; can lead to unsafe use of solutions. Use these terms instead:<ul><li>Preservative-free saline: Preservative-free saline solutions are suitable for both rinsing and filling scleral lenses. Scleral lens providers and patients usually mean this kind of solution when they refer to &quot;saline&quot;.</li><li>Preserved saline: Salines purchased at a drugstore contain preservatives. If the label indicates it is for &quot;sensitive eyes&quot;, that means it has a less irritating preservative - but it is still preserved. These salines are not suitable for filling scleral lenses. However, some people use preserved salines for rinsing scleral lenses, as a cost savings measure.</li><li>Multi-purpose solution: Multi-purpose solutions are formulated for soft and/or hard lenses and are intended for rinsing, cleaning and disinfection. Some people who have used soft or other contact lenses refer to multi-purpose solutions as &quot;saline&quot;. Since these solutions contain cleaning agents and preservatives, it&apos;s best to learn to call them by their name to avoid confusion about using them with scleral lenses.</li></ul>Lens &quot;storage&quot;:&#xA0;There is a difference between storing lenses for short or long term and soaking lenses overnight. Best practice means avoiding using term &quot;storage&quot; for both functions because this can lead to confusion about correct care instructions.&#xA0;<ul><li>Disinfection: Soaking lenses for a specified period of time (usually 4 or 6 hours) between wearing sessions. Most contact lens solution instructions permit lenses to be kept in the same solution for up to seven days if they are not being worn.</li><li>Storage:&#xA0;Storing lenses when you have no immediate plans to wear them. It is usually recommended that sclerals that do not have Hydra-PEG coating are stored dry rather than in solution.</li></ul> <h2 id="scleral-lens-terms">Scleral lens terms</h2>Custom StableDisinfectionEyePrintProHydra-PEG coatingIntra-limbalMid-day foggingMini-scleralMulti-purpose solutionOrientation dot (or mark)Plasma treatmentPlungerPROSESalineScanFitProStandStorageZenLens

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Scleral Lens Glossary