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A saline-based lens rinse is a sterile, pH balanced solution used to rinse contact lenses and fill the bowl of a scleral lens before insertion. Unlike multi purpose solutions, these rinses are typically preservative free to ensure they do not irritate the eye when held against the cornea for long periods.
read more about saline-based lens rinse ...Because scleral lenses create a liquid vault over the cornea, any chemical in that liquid stays in contact with your eye for 12 plus hours. Preservatives can cause toxic reactions, corneal staining, severe redness, and chemical burning.
Buffered saline contains extra ingredients to keep the pH close to your natural tears, which can improve comfort for long wear. Unbuffered saline is just salt and water. Many patients with extreme sensitivities prefer unbuffered options to minimize chemical exposure.
Air bubbles trapped under a scleral lens will cause blurry vision and dry spots. To avoid this, fill the lens bowl with saline until it forms a rounded dome or meniscus. When you apply the lens to the eye, the saline should overflow slightly, ensuring no air gets in.
No. Saline based rinses have no power to kill bacteria or fungi. They are only for rinsing and filling. You must still use a hydrogen peroxide system or a specialized RGP disinfection solution to keep your lenses safe for wear.
No. Saline is just a rinse. It does not have the detergents needed to break down the oils and proteins that build up on your lenses during the day.
No. Homemade saline is not sterile and can contain life threatening bacteria. It also usually has the wrong salt balance, which can cause your cornea to swell.
Never. Bottled water is for drinking, not for eyes. It is not sterile and contains minerals that can damage both your lenses and your corneal surface.
1. Contact Lens Care. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/contact-lens-care. Accessed February 9, 2026.
2. Scleral Lens Care Guide. Scleral Lens Education Society. https://sclerallens.org/for-patients-2/scleral-lens-care-guide/. Accessed February 9, 2026.
3. Proper use of saline solutions for contact lenses. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10737-contacts. Accessed February 9, 2026.
4. Clinical Contact Lens Practice. Bennett ES, Weissman BA. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015.
5. Acanthamoeba Keratitis FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/acanthamoeba/gen_info/acanthamoeba_keratitis_faqs.html. Accessed February 9, 2026.