ROADMAP: WHAT’S NEXT?

Troubleshooting

I am here: I have taken my keeper sclerals home. I am gaining experience, refining my skills and working out my new routines. I return to my provider for follow-up to verify my fit and progress.

FAQ:

Handling & care

  • Don’t worry! Even if you had no trouble during training it’s normal to have some hiccups when you start having to do it independently.

    1. Take a break. Give yourself a pep talk relax for a few. You’ve got this!

    2. Review protocol. Check the instructions you were given in case you’re missing a step. If you weren’t given written instructions, check out our Scleral Lens Application Guide for a familiar method and troubleshooting tips.

    3. Contact your provider’s office for help if you are experiencing ongoing difficulty. You may need a pair of expert eyes to see where you’re going wrong. You may need retraining with a new technique or tool.

    BIG RED FLAG: You are trying over and over till your eyes are sore. Don’t do that. Practice does not make perfect unless you are practicing correct technique. Needing extra help is not a failing on your part!

  • Removal troubles are different than application troubles. The problem may be a tight lens rather than incorrect technique.

    1. Take a break and reassure yourself that you will be okay. Do not tug!

    2. Review protocol. Re-read your provider’s instructions. If you do not have written instructions, check out our Scleral Lens Removal Guide for protocol and troubleshooting ideas. Watching a video may help you spot what you’re missing.

    3. Manual rather than plunger? If you cannot remove your lens with a plunger, follow protocol for manual removal.

    4. After-hours emergency? Call your eye doctor to see if there is an on-call doctor that can talk you through this.

    5. Ongoing/repeated difficulty? Schedule an appointment with your provider. It is

    RED FLAG: You are sure you’re following protocol, but your lens is very difficult to remove. You need to schedule an appointment with your provider. Get an end-of-day appointment if possible, especially if your provider has never examined you when your lenses have been in for several hours. They may be tighter after a day of wear and it’s important for your provider to see that.

    MORE RED FLAGS: You keep tugging at your eye. Removing your lens frequently hurts. Your eye becomes irritated and red and continues to hurt after removal. Stop wearing the lenses and get an appointment.

  • First, please safety-check yourself:

    Getting solutions confused? Please complete our Scleral Lens Supply Worksheet so that you have a clear record of what each solution your provider recommended is for. Call the provider’s office with any questions.

    Confused about the manufacturer’s instructions for a solution? That’s understandable, because some solutions are used “off label” and some manufacturers’ instructions may be appropriate for another lens type but not necessarily for sclerals.

    • Check out our product guides

    • Call your provider if further clarification is needed

  • Don’t worry - there are almost always alternatives that are acceptable at least for temporary use. Check our Product Guides for suggestions.

    Make sure to check with your provider before switching solutions.

    Be prepared. Go through our Supply Worksheet so that you have a handy list of alternative products and suppliers.

    Purchase only from verified suppliers. Unauthorized distributors as well as counterfeiters are very sophisticated about exploiting demand, particularly during shortages and backorders.

    You can also post questions in the Scleral Lens Facebook Group to get suggestions for local or online sources, but make sure to verify them.

    • Case too small? Be careful, because if your lens is too large or too deep, it could be damaged or broken. Ask your provider if they prefer you to substitute a PROSE Case, use the Clear Care in a flat case instead (and if so, ask for directions) or switch to a multi-purpose solution.

    • Solution is “disappearing”: If you have not completely rinsed off other solutions (cleaning or multi-purpose solutions) before putting your scleral lens to soak in Clear Care, the hydrogen peroxide may react with the other solution and cause foaming. Clear Care basket cases are vented (intentionally) and if it continues to foam, much of the liquid may escape.

    • PROSE Case is leaking: The base of the case can crack, particularly if the lid is over-tightened. Be gentle. Replace if leaking.

    Read the Clean and Care Guide for more information.

  • Alcohol wipes are probably the most popular method of cleaning plungers. Ask your provider in case they have a different recommendation.

    3 months is a typical replacement interval, though plungers can last much longer. Check for any fraying of the edges of the plunger, or degrading of the surface (e.g. feels “sticky”).

  • Learn more about Tangible Hydra-PEG.

    Contact your provider about your options.

E-COMMERCE PITFALLS

In today’s online marketplaces there are many counterfeiters, relabelers, and resellers of expired, recalled or incorrectly stored products. These people are very sophisticated about spotting shortages and exploiting temporary increases in demand. What they are selling you may not be what you think and it may not even be sterile.

BUY ONLY FROM TRUSTED SELLERS. Amazon shoppers, please purchase only from the manufacturer’s verified store, if available.

Learn more about e-commerce risks at eyedropsafety.org, another Dry Eye Foundation website.

FAQ: Lens usage scenarios

  • If you are experiencing excessive pain, light sensitivity, decreased vision or discharge, contact your eye doctor right away. Do not continue wearing your sclerals without medical advice.

  • This is a great topic to discuss with your provider. They may be fine with the idea of short naps (like 30 minutes) but the limits they give you will depend on your eye condition and risk profile

    Do not sleep with sclerals.

  • Remove them and put them through a disinfection cycle.

    If your eyes are red or irritated, eye drops or gel and a cool moist compress may provide some relief. If you have any symptoms of concern - excessive pain, redness or any discharge, contact your eye doctor.

  • Contact lens wearers and scleral wearers are more susceptible to a devastating type of infection called Acanthamoeba Keratitis. The reason for the increased risk is that lenses can trap acanthamoeba parasites between the lens and your eye.

    Exposing your lenses to water increases your risk of an AK infection. While these infections are rare. they are also devastating, with high rates of permanent vision loss. It’s simply not worth the risk.

  • Prescription eye drops should be used before you apply your sclerals for the day or after you take them out.

    If you have to use prescription drops at a time when you are normally wearing sclerals, you’ll need to first remove the sclerals, unless the prescribing eye doctor has specifically advised otherwise.