Description (Rebecca's)
This product line has been a mainstay for many scleral lens users for at least the last ten years. It was developed to address the special needs many large scleral lens users face.
The light
The Lens Inserter is basically a modified plunger with a green LED light and battery pack. It shines a green light up through the plunger.
The light is a useful aid for lens placement in general, and for getting it centered correctly. Examples are low vision patients and people with only one seeing eye - or, really, anyone who struggles with lens centering for any reason.
The stand
The point of the stand is twofold: (1) To be hands-free so that you can use both hands for lid spread (for example), and (2) to keep the insertion plunger, full of saline, perfectly stable during the insertion process. This helps both with ensuring the saline doesn't get spilled during insertion (or at least not as much) and helping get the lens placed correctly.
I think of it in terms of putting your eye on the lens rather than putting the lens on your eye. Being hands-free is great for people with a tremor, or who for any reason have difficulty holding the lens perfectly still, or who have difficulty keeping their lids open wide enough. By using the stand, both hands are freed up so that you can use them for your lids. It's easier to get the lens in with all the saline intact this way - spillage is more likely when holding the plunger in one hand. This is sometimes also a good tool for people who are helping disabled individuals with insertion.
This particular kit is for people who need the light AND the stand. Both can be purchased separately.
Do-it-yourself?
This is not a cheap system. I stock it and value it because of the special niche it meets and knowing that the production cost for the developer is not cheap (this is not a mass manufactured item). But of course many people have developed their own 'variations on the theme', such as drilling a hole in some PVC piping. If you are handy, on a budget and/or just want to experiment, go for it. I just have a couple of cautions:
- Be careful, very, very careful, if you're trying to use some other kind of light. Electricity (even just battery powered), saline (a great conductor!) and your corneas... can be a dangerous mix unless you really know what you're doing.
- This light can't be used with a regular DMV vented scleral cup (the opening is too big). If you need spare plungers, you really are better off purchasing the ones that are specifically for this system.
