Scleral Lens GlossaryUpdated 2 months ago

Watch out for these common misunderstandings

"Cleaning" vs "disinfection": Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion about lens care instructions.

• Cleaning refers to manual (digital) rubbing of a lens with some cleaning solution to remove debris and deposits. 
• 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.

"Saline": Misunderstandings about the term "saline" can lead to unsafe use of solutions. Use these terms instead:

• 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 "saline".
• Preserved saline: Salines purchased at a drugstore contain preservatives. If the label indicates it is for "sensitive eyes", 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.
• 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 "saline". Since these solutions contain cleaning agents and preservatives, it's best to learn to call them by their name to avoid confusion about using them with scleral lenses.

Lens "storage": There is a difference between storing lenses for short or long term and soaking lenses overnight. Best practice means avoiding using term "storage" for both functions because this can lead to confusion about correct care instructions. 

• 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.
• Storage: 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.

Scleral lens terms

Custom Stable

Disinfection

EyePrintPro

Hydra-PEG coating

Intra-limbal

Mid-day fogging

Mini-scleral

Multi-purpose solution

Orientation dot (or mark)

Plasma treatment

Plunger

PROSE

Saline

ScanFitPro

Stand

Storage

ZenLens