What It’s Really Like Wearing Scleral Lenses (Step-By-Step Care + FSA/HSA Eligible Supplies)
I wear a scleral lens because my right eye has been through a little more than the average eyeball, including a cornea transplant. When my eye doctor first introduced me to scleral lenses, I quickly realized these were not the kind of contacts you casually pop in while standing over the bathroom sink.
They are larger, they have to be filled with preservative-free saline, and there is definitely a learning curve. Once I figured out a routine, though, wearing one became much less intimidating. Now the process is simply part of my morning, along with coffee and wondering how I already managed to get saline on the counter.
My Long Road to Scleral Lenses
My experience with contact lenses started long before scleral lenses entered the picture. I grew up wearing rigid gas-permeable lenses because of the shape of my corneas and my astigmatism.
Over time, the astigmatism in my right eye became so steep that a traditional gas-permeable lens was no longer working for me. For a while, I was essentially getting through life without being able to see clearly out of that eye.
Eventually, an eye doctor suggested trying a scleral lens. I had never worn anything quite like it, and the lens looked intimidating at first. It was much larger than the contacts I was used to, had to be filled with saline before insertion, and required an entirely new routine.
The important part was that it worked.
Once my doctors saw how much vision I could get from the scleral lens, it opened the door to addressing some of the other issues with my eyes. I had surgery to correct my eye alignment, commonly called lazy eye surgery, and later underwent a corneal transplant in my right eye.
Even after all of that, getting both eyes to work together clearly was still a process. Prescriptions had to be adjusted, my eyes had to heal, and my brain had to adapt to receiving clearer images from both sides.
In July 2026, after years of appointments, lenses, surgeries, adjustments, and a whole lot of patience, my doctor finally got the prescription right.
For the first time, I could see with both eyes focused together.
That may sound like a small thing if your eyes have always cooperated, but for me, it felt huge. My scleral lens is not simply another contact lens in my bathroom cabinet. It became part of a much longer journey toward being able to use both eyes together.
What Are Scleral Lenses (In Plain English)?
Scleral lenses are larger than standard contact lenses. Rather than resting directly on the cornea, they vault over it and rest on the white part of the eye, called the sclera. The space between the lens and the cornea is filled with preservative-free saline. They may be prescribed for irregular corneas, keratoconus, severe dry eye, and other conditions that make traditional lenses difficult to wear.
This post isn’t medical advice — it’s simply what it’s really like wearing scleral lenses and the care routine that works for me. If you want a broader breakdown of FSA-eligible wellness tools, see my full guide here.
What Inserting a Scleral Lens Is Actually Like
When I first started wearing a scleral lens, I inserted it while leaning over a mirror. That made it easier to line everything up and feel like I had at least some idea where the giant clear bowl was going.
After more than ten years, I no longer need the mirror. I also do not use a lighted mirror. At this point, the process is mostly muscle memory.
In the beginning, it usually took me four or five attempts to get the lens in correctly. Now it is much faster, although a little saline still occasionally runs down my face. Nothing dramatic happens. I wipe it off and keep going.
I insert my left lens first, then my right. My supplies stay near the sink so everything is within reach.
The biggest thing I watch for is an air bubble under the lens. It is hard to describe exactly what that looks like because the vision is not simply blurry. It looks distorted in a way that immediately feels wrong. Once you have worn scleral lenses for a while, you really do just know. When that happens, I remove the lens, refill it with saline, and try again.
A bubble does not just make my vision blurry. It makes everything look wrong enough that I know the lens needs to come back out.
My Daily Scleral Lens Care Routine
Morning: Insertion & Setup
Mornings are the most important part of the routine. Clean hands, a stable surface, and patience make all the difference.
- Wash and completely dry your hands.
- Place the lens on the inserter.
- Fill the lens completely with preservative-free saline.
- Lean over a mirror or flat surface.
- Hold both eyelids open.
- Bring the lens straight toward the eye.
- Check for air bubbles.
- Remove and reinsert it if a bubble is trapped.
Once they’re in, they’re incredibly comfortable — but the prep matters.
Midday: Comfort & Maintenance
Because I work as a software engineer, most of my day is spent staring at screens and concentrating hard enough to forget that blinking is apparently important. Most days my lens stays comfortable without any extra attention, but on longer workdays I sometimes use preservative-free drops that my eye doctor has approved for use with my lens.
Evening: Removal and Cleaning
At night, I use the small removal tool to gently take out my scleral lens. Once it is out, I place it in my palm with a little Boston SIMPLUS Multi-Action Solution and gently rub both sides to remove any buildup.
I then place the lens in its case with fresh preservative-free saline, following the routine my eye doctor gave me.
Once or twice a week, I use CLEAR CARE PLUS Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution for a deeper cleaning and disinfecting cycle. Because CLEAR CARE PLUS is hydrogen-peroxide based, I use only the special case that comes with it and allow the lens to soak for the full neutralizing time before it goes anywhere near my eye. Alcon instructs users to follow the complete system and soak lenses for at least six hours or overnight. (Clear Care)
My doctor also emphasized one firm rule: no tap water. I use only the lens-care products recommended for my scleral lens and follow the routine prescribed for my particular eyes.
Important: Scleral-lens routines can vary. Follow the cleaning, disinfecting and storage instructions given by your own eye-care provider.
Vented vs. Non-Vented Scleral Lens Inserters
If you wear scleral lenses, you’ve probably come across two main types of inserters: vented and non-vented. They may look similar, but they can feel very different depending on your comfort level and routine.
Both styles have a cup-shaped top that holds the scleral lens during insertion. Which one someone uses may simply depend on what their eye doctor provides and which style feels most comfortable.
A vented inserter has a small opening that runs through the center of the tool. When you look through it during insertion, the opening can also serve as a target to help keep your eye and lens aligned.
A non-vented inserter has a solid, closed handle with no opening through the center. Because it is not vented, it can create suction against the lens, while the vented style is designed to prevent that suction.
Scleral Lens Care Essentials You Can Buy With FSA or HSA
What most people don’t realize is that many of the supplies needed to care for scleral lenses are FSA- or HSA-eligible, which makes maintaining them a lot more manageable — especially since these are recurring purchases. If you’re looking for the full 2026 list of FSA-eligible items on Amazon, start here.
I also keep a running list of unexpected FSA-eligible items — including eye care tools — in my post Wait, You Can Use Your FSA on That?
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Preservative-Free Saline
Preservative-free saline is used to completely fill the scleral lens before insertion. Unlike regular contact lenses, scleral lenses create a fluid-filled reservoir over the cornea, so this is one supply you will use every day.
I prefer single-use vials because they are easy to store, simple to travel with, and help me avoid wondering how long an opened bottle has been sitting around. Because saline is a recurring purchase, it is also one of the first scleral lens supplies I check for FSA or HSA eligibility.
Cleaning & Disinfecting Solutions
Designed specifically for contact lenses, including scleral lenses.
Eye Drops for Dry Eye & Comfort
Not all eye drops are compatible with scleral lenses, but many preservative-free options are FSA-eligible.
Storage & Hygiene Supplies
Cases, stands, and lens-safe storage accessories help keep everything clean and organized.
Scleral lens remover
Boston SIMPLUS Multi-Action Solution
Why Using FSA or HSA Funds Makes Sense
Scleral lens care isn’t a one-time purchase — it’s ongoing. Using pre-tax dollars for items you have to buy anyway just makes sense.
If you’re planning FSA spending toward the end of the year, this category is an easy win.
More Health Articles & Guides
More Practical Guides & Ideas
FAQ
Can you feel a scleral lens in your eye?
Once mine is inserted correctly, it is surprisingly comfortable. If I can feel irritation or notice blurry vision, I usually check for an air bubble, debris, or dryness.
How long does it take to learn how to insert scleral lenses?
It varies. My routine became much easier with repetition, but the first few attempts required patience, a steady setup, and more saline than I expected.
What happens if there is an air bubble under the lens?
An air bubble can make vision blurry or cause discomfort. I remove the lens, refill it completely with preservative-free saline, and insert it again.
Can you use regular contact lens solution to fill scleral lenses?
I only use the preservative-free filling solution recommended by my eye-care provider. Cleaning, disinfecting, and filling solutions may serve different purposes, so I follow the instructions provided for my specific lens.
Are scleral lens supplies FSA- or HSA-eligible?
Many eye-care and contact-lens supplies may qualify, but eligibility can vary by product and plan. I always check the product listing and confirm with my plan administrator before purchasing.
Can you travel with scleral lenses?
Yes, but they require more supplies than ordinary contacts. I pack extra saline, insertion and removal tools, cleaning solution, a backup case, and more supplies than I think I will need.
Can you nap or sleep in scleral lenses?
I remove mine before sleeping. Unless your eye-care provider has specifically prescribed overnight wear, sleeping or napping in contact lenses can increase the risk of infection. Follow the instructions given for your particular eyes and lenses.
Can you shower with scleral lenses?
I avoid getting tap water near my lenses because my doctor specifically told me not to use water in my lens-care routine. I would remove them before showering unless my eye doctor advised otherwise.
Can you swim with scleral lenses?
I would not swim in mine unless my eye doctor specifically approved it and gave me instructions for protecting my eyes. Water can introduce microorganisms that should not come into contact with reusable contact lenses.
A Quick Reminder
Always double-check product eligibility through your plan provider or Amazon’s HSA/FSA storefront. Coverage can vary, but many lens care essentials qualify.
Lisa Thompson
Hi, I'm Lisa, a software engineer, photographer, and creator behind Redcypress Designs. I share practical home solutions, beginner-friendly juicing tips, cozy living ideas, Pinterest experiments, and products that solve real everyday problems. Most of the projects, recipes, and reviews on this site come from my own experiences, testing, and occasional mistakes.
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