Why coated lenses are slippery
Some scleral lenses are made with a surface coating, such as Tangible Hydra-PEG, that’s applied when the lens is manufactured.[2] The coating is based on polyethylene glycol (PEG), and its job is to help the lens surface hold a layer of water. In a small study of 21 scleral lens wearers with dry eye, wearing PEG-treated lenses for a month improved lens comfort, dry eye symptoms, and how often vision fogged compared with the same lenses untreated.[1]
That watery surface is also what makes the lens feel slick. On your fingertip, on a plunger, or in your case, a freshly coated lens can slide around in a way an uncoated lens never did. See what is a scleral lens surface coating? for more on how coatings work.
What wearers report
Slipperiness is one of the things wearers mention most about new coated lenses:
- Very slippery when new. Many describe a lens that slid off a finger, rolled on the plunger, or was hard to turn to the right position.
- It usually eases. Wearers commonly say the extreme slickness settled down over the first few weeks, while the lens still felt comfortable on the eye.
- Removal can be harder at first. Several say new coated lenses gripped more firmly, and that wetting the eye and the plunger first made a big difference.
- Lenses vary. Some notice that two coated lenses feel different, one very slick and one almost like an uncoated lens.
- Not everyone gets on with it. A few wearers found a coating uncomfortable or removal too difficult, and went back to uncoated lenses with their fitter.
Handling tips
Work over something soft. Lay a clean, lint-free towel on the counter, or close the sink drain, so a lens that slips doesn’t end up down the drain.
Use a stand. If the lens slides on your fingertip, a stand or a lens-holding inserter keeps it level while you fill and insert. See inserters and removers.
Keep your fingers dry, the lens wet. Dry fingertips grip the edges better when you’re positioning or turning a lens. A tiny change in angle shows you where the orientation mark is.
Wet the plunger for removal. Wearers find a drop of sterile saline on the removal plunger’s tip helps it grip a slick lens.
Break the seal first. Put sterile saline or a preservative-free drop in your eye, then let air in under the lens edge before you pull, for example by pressing gently on the lower lid near the edge or placing the plunger at the lower edge. Putting the plunger straight onto the center and pulling without breaking the seal can make suction worse. See how to remove and what if a scleral lens gets stuck?
Check the plunger first. If you can’t find the lens after removal, check the plunger before searching the floor. Slick lenses stay stuck to the plunger surprisingly often.
Cleaning a coated lens
Coatings come with their own care rules. The coating maker advises light rubbing with a multipurpose solution to loosen deposits, but not vigorous rubbing, and says rubbing with saline doesn’t clean the lens and may wear the coating.[2] Some cleaners aren’t suitable for coated lenses at all. Use only the products your fitter has approved, and see cleaners and coated lenses.
When to tell your fitter
Let your fitter know if:
- Removal stays difficult after the first couple of weeks.
- The lens feels uncomfortable, dry, or gritty even though it’s new and coated.
- The lens keeps sliding off center on your eye.
- Handling is so hard you’re dropping or losing lenses, or you have a tremor or limited hand strength. See shaky hands and arthritis and limited dexterity.
They can check the fit, look at the coating, and talk through whether uncoated lenses would be better for you.
What to ask your fitter
- Are my new lenses coated, and how should I clean them?
- Which tools work well with slippery lenses?
- Removal is hard with these. Can you watch me and check the fit?
- Would uncoated lenses be a reasonable option for me next time?
Common questions
Does slipperiness mean the coating is working?
Wearers often use it that way: a coated lens that feels slick is usually taken as a sign the coating is there, and a lens that stops feeling slippery or makes water bead up is a common sign it's wearing off. Your fitter can check the lens surface if you're unsure.
My coated lens is much harder to remove than my old one. Why?
Wearers commonly report this for the first couple of weeks. Wetting the eye and plunger and letting air in at the edge before pulling usually helps. If removal stays difficult, tell your fitter, because a lens that grips tightly can also mean the fit needs adjusting.
Can I rub a coated lens to make it less slippery?
Don't try to wear the coating down on purpose. The coating maker advises only light rubbing with a multipurpose solution, not vigorous rubbing, and says rubbing with saline doesn't clean the lens and may wear the coating. Clean it the way your fitter told you.
Should I just order uncoated lenses next time?
Some wearers do, for example if they have shaky hands or found removal too hard. Others wouldn't give up the comfort. A coating can help some dry eye wearers, so it's a trade-off to talk through with your fitter.