Vision Therapy in Maitland

How to Insert & Care for Your Scleral Lenses

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Scleral Lenses Candidates

Navigating the world of scleral lenses is vital in ensuring your eye health and optimal vision. At Lake Howell Eye Associates, we are committed to providing thorough training to help you effectively insert, remove, and maintain your scleral lenses. Below is a comprehensive guide designed to make your scleral lens experience seamless.

woman putting in contact


Inserting Scleral Lenses

1. Clean Hands: The process begins with a thorough hand washing. Use mild soap and a lint-free towel to dry your hands. This step is essential to prevent tiny fibers or contaminants from adhering to your lenses.

2. Eye Examination: Before inserting your lenses, examining your eyes for any redness or secretions is essential. If you experience any discomfort or changes in vision while wearing scleral lenses, don't hesitate to reach out to our office to schedule an eye exam.

3. Follow Professional Guidance: The experienced scleral lens team at Lake Howell Eye Associates will provide specific instructions on the best insertion techniques during your visit to our clinic. Here's a general guideline:

  • Place a mirror flat on the table in front of you.
  • Examine the cleaned lens for any debris or cloudiness by holding it against the light.
  • Fill the lens bowl with your saline solution.
  • You can use your fingers or a specialized inserter tool for lens insertion. If you opt for using your fingers, the tripod method (employing two or three fingers) ensures stability and a flat lens placement on your eye.
  • Focus your gaze downward into the mirror, use one hand to hold your eyelids open, and gently insert the lens into your eye using your other hand. When you feel the saline against your eye’s surface, gently press and release. The lens will adhere  to your eye. Repeat the same process for the second lens.

If you experience discomfort, it could be due to an air bubble trapped beneath the lens surface. In such cases, remove the lens and reinsert it following the guidelines.


woman putting in contact

Tips for Removing Scleral Lenses

Clean Hands: After thoroughly washing your hands, look straight ahead. There are two methods for removing scleral lenses:

  1. Using Your Fingers: Gently press on your eye and pull the lens upward and out.
  2. Using a Plunger: Attach the plunger to the lower third of the lens, gently press on your eye, and then pull the lens upward and out. With practice, lens removal will become natural and effortless.

General Tips for Scleral Contact Lens Care

Scleral contact lenses are an innovative solution for various eye conditions, but their maintenance is crucial for your eye health and visual comfort. Here are some essential tips to ensure proper care:

Follow Your Optometrist's Instructions: Abide by your eye care professional's recommendations for lens cleaning, disinfecting, and storage solutions.

Proper Lens Insertion: When inserting lenses, ensure they are debris-free.

Adequate Lubrication: Use lubricating eye drops or preservative-free artificial tears to maintain eye moisture while wearing scleral lenses.

Regular Cleaning: Clean your lenses daily with the prescribed cleaning solutions. Rub and rinse them to remove any debris or deposits.

Regular Check-ups: Schedule routine follow-up appointments with Lake Howell Eye Associates to monitor your eye health and lens fit.

Hydrogen Peroxide Care: If you use a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning system, ensure the lenses soak for the recommended duration before insertion.

Minimize Water Exposure: Avoid exposing your lenses to water, including swimming or showering while wearing them.

Avoid Overwearing: Stick to the recommended wearing time, especially if you're new to scleral lenses. Follow your optometrist's instructions for gradually increasing wear.

Replace Accessories: Replace your lens case regularly and follow care instructions to avoid contamination.

Emergency Removal Kit: Keep a lens removal kit with a plunger, spare lenses, and necessary accessories for unexpected situations.

Cleanliness: Maintain a clean lens storage case. Rinse it with saline and leave it open to air dry during the day.

Travel Precautions: When traveling, ensure you have all the necessary lens care items and spare lenses, and follow security regulations for carrying liquids.

Never Use Tap Water: Always avoid rinsing your lenses with tap water to avoid dangerous pathogens that can cause corneal ulceration leading to permanent vision loss.  

Proper care and maintenance of your scleral lenses are essential to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. Always follow your optometrist's guidance for the best practices tailored to your needs.


Meet our Scleral Lenses Specialist

Patient Reviews
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565 Reviews
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- Apr. 01, 2025
I Highly recommend Lake Howell Eye Associates. Always a pleasant experience when visiting for my app... ointments.
- Mar. 31, 2025
Staff is extremely patient, helpful, and accommodating!
- Mar. 25, 2025
Caring and compassionate staff who were able to help me with an emergency just before closing time. ... Other places were closed or would send you through a never ending voice prompt system, Lake Howell Eye Associates have an actual human to answer the phone and were able to see me right away which saved me from a night of agony or an expensive trip to the ER. THANK YOU!!
- Mar. 19, 2025
Amazing. Dr. Charnell is incredible. He takes his time and explains everything in detail. Our famil... y have been going to him for 10 years now and at Lake Howell Eye associates they treats us like family. Highly recommend.
- Mar. 16, 2025
I have already recommended them to several friends because of their friendliness, helpfulness, and s... election of glasses. I'm glad I switched!
- Mar. 15, 2025
Nice clean facility. Nice dr who took time with me to get my contact script right. Always been a cha... llenge for me. Nice selection of glasses and sunglasses.
- Mar. 10, 2025
I come all the way from North Carolina to see Dr Charnell . He has incredible skill.i am seeing almo... st 20/20 with kertaconus, something i never thought possible. No other Dr has been able to fit me so well in lenses.. Hettie at the front desk is the sweetest person. Very helpful, warm and friendly. won't go anywhere else!
- Feb. 06, 2025
Dr. Charnell is excellent. He's friendly, thorough, professional and always has a smile on his face.... Office wait is always less than 5 minutes if any. Staff is also very friendly and great
- Jan. 29, 2025
Totally friendly, ourteous, efficient. Explained every procedure. Made suggestions. Not pushy. W... ould recommend to everyone.
- Jan. 18, 2025
Great facility. Friendly and professional staff.
- Jan. 10, 2025
Staff were very professional, answered any question I had. Was in and out quickly
- Jan. 07, 2025
Great office and staff! ♥️
- Jan. 03, 2025
Great care! My new eye doctor and care team!
- Jan. 02, 2025
Cordial, professional and timely experience as always. Looking forward to getting my new glasses!
- Dec. 19, 2024
Highlyrecommend! The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making me feel comfortable from th... e moment I walked in. The doctor was outstanding, demonstrating a deep knowledge of my concerns and taking the time to thoroughly explain each step of the process. I truly appreciated their attentiveness and the way they listened to my questions, ensuring I felt informed and cared for throughout my visit. Overall, it was a fantastic experience!
- Dec. 19, 2024
Caring, compassionate, thorough, and professional office and medical staff! Extremely pleased! Bl... ess you all!
- Dec. 16, 2024
In a world where personal touch and the concierge feel is becoming less and less common, it’s nice... to still find at LHEA. I highly recommend them to care deeply for your eyes! A+++
- Dec. 09, 2024
As always, a great experience. Everyone so efficient and friendly. Quality healthcare!
- Dec. 04, 2024
There is a reason for the trove of 5 Star Reviews! Stop looking this is the place!
- Nov. 26, 2024
Love ❤️ Lake Howell Eye Associates! I've been going here for what seems like 30 yrs, but really ... only 11 years! They are local, offer everything and are the BEST!

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Scleral Lenses in Maitland

Our optometry practice in Maitland

Photograph of Christopher Charnell
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