Updated May 2022
Modudose is a preservative free 0.9% sodium chloride product sold for inhalation therapy and, like the better-known name Addipak, is often recommended by doctors fitting scleral lenses for filling the lenses.
The 15mL size is useful for those who use a lot of saline in rinsing or who are just learning and may need to try several times before successfully insertion. We do not recommend using this larger size in order to have a vial last all day, because it is not re-cappable, and because the pH does not stay stable after opening.
Modudose is quite acidic. Its pH is thought to be about 5.5, although this is not known for sure as manufacturers do not typically state the expected pH. 0.9% sodium chloride solutions are always acidic unless they are buffered. Buffering is when they add ingredients to raise and stabilize the pH. The pH of the human eye is about 7, so it is generally thought that using a saline in scleral lenses that matches our tears is a good thing.
Many people seem to find that the pH of their saline doesn't make any noticeable difference. For others, acidic salines can be uncomfortable, and even contribute to lens fogging. Some people remedy the acidity problem by switching to buffered saline (e.g. Nutrifill, Scleralfil, Purilens). Others add one or more drops of a preservative-free artificial tear (e.g. Refresh Celluvisc, Oasis Tears Plus - note that this is an off label use of those too!) to an unbuffered saline like Modudose. If you are trying these sorts of cocktails please make sure you always keep your eye doctor in the loop!
Addipak and Modudose (which are closely similar) are not labeled (therefore not FDA reviewed) for use with any sort of contact lens. They are sold for inhalation therapy. We generally recommend that scleral lens users stick with salines that are reviewed, packaged and labeled specifically for use with scleral lenses, wherever possible.
There are now two brands of unbuffered saline that are labeled specifically for use with scleral lenses: Lacripure and VibrantVue.
For more information about preservative free salines, please see our Product Guide to Preservative Free Saline Options.
For single use only