Preservative-free Saline Options for Scleral Lenses

What saline options are available in US for Scleral lens wearers?

Figure 1: Preservative-free saline options for Scleral lenses.

1. Scleral lenses create a fluid reservoir over the eye

• Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye).

• Between the back of the lens and the cornea, there's a fluid-filled space that remains in constant contact with the cornea for many hours.

• This fluid reservoir is filled with saline solution before inserting the lens.

2. Preservatives can cause toxicity and irritation

• Regular saline or multipurpose solutions often contain preservatives to prevent bacterial growth.

• When trapped under a scleral lens, these preservatives remain in direct contact with the eye for extended periods — unlike with other lenses where blinking flushes out the solution.

• This can lead to:

  • Toxicity

  • Irritation

  • Redness

  • Damage to the corneal epithelium

  • Inflammation or discomfort

3. Preservative-free saline is gentler and safer

• Because it lacks preservatives, this type of saline minimizes the risk of:

  • Allergic reactions

  • Corneal toxicity

  • Long-term inflammation

• It maintains eye health and comfort for the long hours scleral lenses are typically worn.

4. Common brands used

• Examples of preservative-free saline solutions used with scleral lenses include:

  • Addipak

  • ScleralFil

  • Purilens Plus

  • LacriPure

  • Nutrifill

  • Scleral Saline

  • Tangible fill

Most are single-use, Purilens comes in a bottle, but always preservative-free.

In summary:

Preservative-free saline is needed for scleral lenses because the solution stays trapped against the eye for many hours, and preservatives can cause serious irritation or damage when left on the eye that long.