About ScleralFil
- Buffered preservative-free saline
- User-friendly single-use vial
- 10mL / 0.34oz tubes - use and discard
- For volume discounts, see Scleralfil Multipacks
- Box of 30 tubes
Description (by Rebecca)
Updated November 2022
What it is
Scleralfil is a buffered, preservative free saline sold in a box of 30 vials of 10mL each.
Size & packaging
Too large, too small, or just right? It depends on your needs. Personally, I use 18mm scleral lenses. Scleralfil (and also Nutrifill, which comes in the same size) is ample for me to rinse and fill both lenses each morning.
If you're a newbie, and struggling with lens insertion, you may need to use multiple vials while you're practicing - or, if your lens provider agrees, you might want to use Purilens instead for the learning period.
As to the vial, Scleralfil is my ideal vial. Terrific product design. Stands up easily; opens easily, but stands up to being tossed around without leaking. I love the wide opening at the top as it is very unlikely to make bubbles in the saline when you fill your lens. If there is any drawback at all to the packaging it's that you're not going to get much pressure from squeezing it (for a 'power rinse') because of that wider opening.
Buffered (pH balanced) saline
Scleralfil, like Purilens, is a borate-buffered saline - that is, it contains sodium borate and boric acid, which raise the pH to approximately the same pH as the eye. Not everyone has sensitive enough eyes to need this, but for many people, pH balanced saline means greater lens comfort and less likelihood of lens fogging.
The other borate-buffered saline on the US market is Purilens, which comes in 2oz or 4oz bottles. Those bottles must be discarded within 15 days of opening, so if you can't use up that much saline in that amount of time, I would strongly encourage you to get Scleralfil instead. It is also worth noting that many doctors discourage the use of Purilens for filling sclerals after it has been open for two days due to concerns about potential contamination highlighted in this study.
Preservative-free
Use it and toss it. Please do not attempt to re-cap this vial or cover it up with plastic wrap, etc. Unpreserved saline has no protection against contamination. It's just not designed for safe use as a multi-dose container.
Convenience for travel
Many people use Purilens at home and Scleralfil for travel.
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 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:
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):
preservative free saline solution is a sterile, preservative-free solution indicated for use following proper lens disinfection as recommended by the eye care practitioner. 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. preservative free saline solution is intended for single use. Discard any unused portion of the solution. DO NOT use after expiration date.
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.
