eyelid problems with sclerals

[Annekee]

Hoepfully someone experienced with sclerals can help me or give me a suggestion...
Since a few weeks I got Boston sclerals in a try to manage my dry eye problems (MGD, blepharitis, allergies). I ordered them in the Netherlands where I live. The good thing is that my eyes turn very white after 5 minutes inserting them. Wow, that looks beautiful! They are always so pink or red… I do get relief, I feel that my cornea is better but….

I feel my upper eyelids (inside) after a few hours of wearing them. This is the case more in my right eye which is in the worst condition. Also, after getting them out, my eyes turn red immediately. I can’t say that they feel comfortable after wearing them like I read from others. My eyelids tend to feel more inflamed? If I wear them 2 days for about 7-8 hours, my eyes have to 'recover' a few days of wearing them.
My doctor says the fitting is perfect and they look very good while having them in. His possible explanation:

- allergy for the liquid I use when storing them (it includes preservatives), despite the fact that I rinse and fill them with saline before inserting
- build up scheme was too ambitious, better build up gradually to 6 hours, wearing them 2 weeks for 6 hours per day and build up with 1 hour every week
- I used saline drops to moisten my sclerals every 2 hours, saline can be drying, maybe better to use another drop?

What do you think? I appreciate your opinion.

[Rebecca Petris]

- allergy for the liquid I use when storing them (it includes preservatives), despite the fact that I rinse and fill them with saline before inserting
- build up scheme was too ambitious, better build up gradually to 6 hours, wearing them 2 weeks for 6 hours per day and build up with 1 hour every week
- I used saline drops to moisten my sclerals every 2 hours, saline can be drying, maybe better to use another drop?

I agree with most of these and would add a 4th: are the lenses plasma treated? If not, the outer surface may not be wetting well enough.

My lens cleaning & storage regimen is cleaning with Lobob Extra Strength Cleaner (Miraflow is another good alternative) and storage only in hydrogen peroxide.

I had no issues with building up wearing time.

I squirt saline over my lenses sometimes but in general I prefer to use a lubricant that will wet them properly and last. Another possibility is that in the early days, you try to wear moisture chambers over them and then wean yourself off.

[Annekee]

Thanks Rebecca for your quick reply. I appreciate your opinion a lot, you're a real professional!! I'll start with my sclerals again (considering all those attention points) and let you know how I deal with them. Thanks again.

[Annekee]

a few questions

Hi Rebecca,
Regarding your posting yesterday I'd like to ask you a few details:
1. How long will a plasma coating last? Do you regularly treat your sclerals with a plasma coating?
2. I also use Lobob which is great. What do you mean with storage in hydrogen peroxide. Is that the same as saline/unisol? Where do you buy it?
3. You prefer to use a lubricant that will wet them properly and last, what brand do you recommend? Is Refresh Plus or Systane a possibility?
4. You suggest to wear moisture chambers over them. Do you mean tranquilleyes, panoptx?

Thanks again!

[Rebecca Petris]

Hi Rebecca,
Regarding your posting yesterday I'd like to ask you a few details:
1. How long will a plasma coating last? Do you regularly treat your sclerals with a plasma coating?
2. I also use Lobob which is great. What do you mean with storage in hydrogen peroxide. Is that the same as saline/unisol? Where do you buy it?
3. You prefer to use a lubricant that will wet them properly and last, what brand do you recommend? Is Refresh Plus or Systane a possibility?
4. You suggest to wear moisture chambers over them. Do you mean tranquilleyes, panoptx?

Thanks again!

1. I don't know how long it lasts. I never had a lens re-coated..
2. No, hydrogen peroxide is an acid. It is readily available in dilute form at pharmacies/chemists.
3. I don't have something to recommend, because I use NutraTear which is not approved for contact lens use. Best to check with the doctor you got the lenses from.
4. Panoptx/Wiley-X style glasses. Not tranquileyes, because you can't sleep in the lenses.