Uh oh?

Nutrifill is temporarily unavailable. At this time, the manufacturer does not have an estimated back-in-stock date. We do not have further details, but this post will be updated when we know more.

Nutrifill is a special product that is very important to a lot of us, particularly those with very dry eyes, very diseased corneas, or very sensitive eyes (or all of the above). I know some of you have already tried everything else. It's always a bit unsettling when a product we rely on for our scleral lenses becomes unavailable. But, we can always make it through, though it may mean some adjustments to our routines!

Step 1: Talk to your provider

If Nutrifill is your normal filling solution, make sure to let your provider know if you're not able to get more and ask for their guidance on substitutions.

Step 2: Consider options

Option 1: Buffered salines

Scleralfil

The obvious "most similar" choice is Scleralfil. 

What's the same:

• Type (buffered - pH balanced to match the eye)
• Size (10mL vial)

What's different:

• Cheaper
• Sold in box of 30 (vs Nutrifill which is 35)
• Buffering system: Both products are buffered, meaning they have additives to raise and stabilize the pH. Nutrifill is phosphate-buffered, while Scleralfil is borate-buffered.  
• Ingredients: Other than sodium chloride (salt) and water, Nutrifill contains alcium, magnesium potassium and phosphate, while Scleralfil contains sodium borate and boric acid. These ingredients are also common in artificial tear products.

Purilens

Purilens has the same ingredients as Scleralfil but is packaged differently. It is sold in 2oz and 4oz sizes. The bottles are the "puncture" type, and the bottles must be discarded either within 14 days (per label) or earlier, depending on your doctor's advice. Some prefer their patients not to fill sclerals with Purilens more than 48 hours after the bottle is open. it is a very popular solution for rinsing, however, especially for newer "high utilization" scleral users. 

2oz size is sold in 2packs and 6packs

4oz size is sold in 3packs, 6packs and 12packs

Click on Purilens to browse all.

Option 2: Unbuffered salines + PF tears

If you are used to buffered saline, then unbuffered saline (which is acidic) may not be comfortable for you. However, some people with sensitive eyes may not be able to tolerate the borate-buffered salines (Scleralfil and Purilens). In this case, an alternative that has long been popular is to use an unbuffered saline e.g. Lacripure, VibrantVue or Tangible Fill but add one or more drops of a preservative-free artificial tear. Refresh Celluvisc is common as a supplemental filling solution (our last poll indicated that 61% of those who add something to saline are adding Celluvisc).

Option 3: Fill with PF tears only

Expensive, and only suitable for some users, but definitely an option. Check with your provider.

How can I try out other options economically?

Here are the smallest quantities available of each:

• Scleralfil box of 30 (($19.95) No sample sizes available.
• Purilens 2oz 2pack ($10.95) or 4oz 3pack ($19.95)
• Lacripure 7-vial sample pack ($7.50)
• VibrantVue 6-vial sample pack ($2.50)

In terms of artificial tears used for filling, the cheapest preservative-free brand name option that I know of us Refresh Plus 70packs sold at Costco.