About ScleralFil
- Buffered preservative-free saline
- Only product of its type available in unit dose packaging
- 10mL / 0.34oz tubes - use and discard
- Box of 30 tubes
Description (by Rebecca)
First released by Bausch & Lomb in 2017, following the discontinuation of Unisol 4, and rising in popularity ever since.
ScleralFil's unique feature is that it is the only buffered preservative-free saline offered in unit dose containers (as opposed to Purilens which is in 4oz or 2oz bottles). It's an important option to have both for safety and convenience.
Unit dose advantage
The reason unit dose packaging is desirable is safety... though this only holds good if you actually follow the directions and discard it after using!
Bottled preservative-free saline, a/k/a Purilens Plus Saline, must be discarded within 15 days of opening, according to the manufacturer's label, or sooner if your doctor says so. But some people can't use up a bottle in 15 days, and some doctors do not like bottled preservative-free saline to be kept open for the entire 15 days anyway. In those cases, ScleralFil is a great alternative. Use it and toss it. But what you really don't want to do is keep open ScleralFil vials around for days on end. It's not recappable, not preserved, and not designed for it.
Convenience for travel
Personally, I used to use Modudose 15mL vials for travel. They are a good size for me and they are "flat-bottomed" so they stand up when not in use. And they're much handier than bottles for travel. However, Modudose is unbuffered, and I can't use it daily for too long with it bothering my eyes. So I switched to ScleralFil for travel. But then... I finally gave up allowing myself to rinse cleaners off with water, and now I need more saline for rinsing, so if I'm checking any luggage, I put Purilens in my checked bag and a few ScleralFils in my carry-on.
ScleralFil is great for throwing in your bag or car, too. If the container is too small for you though, then the Purilens 2oz bottles may be a better option.
Limitations
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Size. Too much, too little or just right? The answer will be different for every user. I have many customers who find even the 5mL / 0.17oz vials such as LacriPure too much (for their sclerals or for rinsing soft lenses. For such users, if they cannot tolerate unbuffered saline, there is no good solution, as they will be dealing with wastage whether they opt for ScleralFil or Purilens.
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Cost. If you need a lot for rinsing, it's considerably more expensive than Purilens for daily use. I'm finding that lots of people use both Purilens and ScleralFil, by the way.
Description (manufacturer's)
From Bausch + Lomb Specialty Vision lens care products, ScleralFil—indicated as a scleral insertion solution—is an alternative for rinsing and inserting scleral lenses. It is a sterile, buffered isotonic saline solution that can be used to rinse soft and gas permeable lenses.
CONTENTS:
ScleralFil™ preservative free saline solution is a sterile buffered isotonic saline solution that has boric acid, sodium borate, and sodium chloride in purified water. ScleralFil preservative free saline solution has NO preservative or mercury-containing ingredients (e.g. chlorhexidine, thimerosal) to which some people are sensitive. Use ScleralFil preservative free saline solution only with soft (hydrophilic), rigid gas permeable, hard, and large diameter (scleral) contact lenses.
ACTIONS:
ScleralFil preservative free saline solution removes loosened debris and traces of daily cleaner when used as a rinse after cleaning. ScleralFil preservative free saline also keeps your lens wet (hydrated).
INDICATIONS (USES):
ScleralFil preservative free saline solution is a sterile, preservative-free solution indicated for use following proper lens disinfection as recommended by the eye care practitioner. ScleralFil preservative free saline solution is indicated for:
- rinsing soft (hydrophilic), rigid gas permeable and hard contact lenses prior to lens insertion
- as an insertion solution for large diameter (scleral) contact lenses
- as a rinse for contact lens cases
- rinsing contact lenses throughout the day.
CONTRAINDICATIONS (REASONS NOT TO USE):
If you are allergic to any ingredient in ScleralFil preservative-free saline solution, do not use this product.
Instructions for use
Twist-off the plastic cap to open the ScleralFil™ preservative free saline solution vial. Discard the cap. Follow these directions:
1. Always wash and dry your hands before handling lenses.
2. Always handle the same lens first, the right or left, in order to avoid mix-ups.
3. Following proper lens disinfection;
- For soft (hydrophilic), hard, hybrid, and rigid gas permeable apply several drops to each lens surface to rinse lens prior to insertion.
- For large diameter (scleral) contact lenses rinse both sides of the lens and fill the back surface before insertion.
- For contact lens cases rinse all the inner surfaces of the case and the lids and allow to air dry in a clean place
- For rinsing lenses during the day remove the lens, rinse both surfaces with several drops of ScleralFil preservative free saline solution and re-insert the lenses.
4. Discard single use vial after each use. Do not reuse.
Precautions
- Always follow the product directions for use. Failure to follow product directions may lead to vision loss.
- Visit your eye care practitioner regularly.
- Always wash and dry hands before handling lenses.
- Do not use tap water, bottled water or saliva with lenses or lens cases.
- Only use fresh solution to clean and disinfect contact lenses.
- Always discard any remaining solution in your lens case after each disinfection cycle (Never re-use solution).
- Saline or rewetting drops will not disinfect your lenses.
- Always replace your solution, lenses and lens case as directed.
- Discard the bottle and remaining contents right after use.
- Never re-use or “top off” the solution in your lens case.
- Store at room temperature.
- Use before expiration date on bottle and carton.
Warnings:
Because ScleralFil preservative free saline solution contains no preservatives; it will not remain sterile indefinitely after opening and, therefore, should not be used as an eye drop. ScleralFil preservative free saline solution is intended for single use. Discard any unused portion of the solution. DO NOT use after expiration date.
ScleralFil preservative free saline solution is a clear solution. DO NOT USE SOLUTION IF IT IS CLOUDY OR DISCOLORED or if the bottle LEAKS before you open it.
DO NOT USE saline or tap water for the storage of contact lenses, which may cause serious and sight-threatening eye infections such as Acanthamoeba, causing corneal ulcers and possibly permanent loss of sight.
DO NOT use ScleralFil preservative free saline solution for storage.
