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    Wearing guide

    Can't see the mirror without your glasses?

    Many people who need scleral lenses see poorly without them, which makes the mirror a blur at the moment you need it most. These tricks help.

    By the Scleral Lens Team · Updated October 2, 2026 · 2 published sources cited

    The short answer

    Get closer and brighter: a lighted magnifying mirror on the counter makes a big difference. Do the eye that sees worse first, so your better eye helps you aim; then the first lens helps you see for the second. And rely on feel and routine as much as sight.

    Before you start

    Time: Setup once; then your usual routine.

    • A lighted magnifying mirror that can sit flat or tilt to face up
    • Bright, even light over the counter
    • Your usual kit

    Step by step

    1. Bring the mirror to you

      A lighted magnifying mirror, set flat or tilted so you can look straight down into it, lets you get much closer than a wall mirror.

    2. Light the scene

      Bright, even light from above or in front, without glare in the mirror.

    3. Worse eye first

      Insert the lens for the eye that sees worse first, while your better eye watches. Once that lens is in, it helps you see for the second one.

    4. Lay out your kit the same way every time

      Same spots for the case, inserter, remover, and saline, so you can find things by feel.

    5. Use touch and routine

      Fill the lens by feel and sight close up, keep your face parallel to the floor, and let the steps you've practiced carry you.

    6. Keep your glasses within reach

      Put them on between steps if you need to check something, then take them off for the insertion itself.

    These are general steps. If your fitter taught you differently, follow your fitter: your lens and eyes are theirs to know. Print the mirror cards to keep by your sink.

    You’re not alone

    Poor vision without correction is one of the reasons people end up in scleral lenses in the first place, so this problem is common. In one study of new scleral lens wearers, the people who needed more than an hour to insert a lens on the first day were those who had come from glasses, soft lenses, or no correction at all.[1]

    Why “worse eye first” works

    While you insert the first lens, the other eye is the one looking in the mirror. Starting with your weaker eye means your stronger eye does that watching. Then, for the second lens, the eye you’ve just corrected takes over.

    Keep your glasses current

    You’ll be wearing your glasses before and after your lenses every day. The FDA recommends always having a backup pair with a current prescription.[2]

    Common mistakes

    • Using a distant wall mirror and tilting your head to see it.
    • Starting with your better eye, leaving your worse eye to watch.
    • A cluttered counter where tools move around.

    Common questions

    Is there a tool that lights up the lens?

    Some people light the lens from below: an insertion stand set over a phone's flashlight gives you a bright target to aim at, and leaves both hands free for your lids. Check with your fitter that it suits you.

    Should I use my phone's camera as a mirror?

    Some people find a phone camera on a stand, zoomed in, easier to see than a mirror. If you try it, keep your face parallel to the floor and keep the phone out of the way of your hands.

    Does it get easier?

    Yes. With practice you rely less on seeing and more on feel and routine.

    Keep going

    Guide

    Your first two weeks with scleral lenses

    Expect it to be slow and awkward at first. That's normal. Practice every day at a calm time, follow your fitter's wearing schedule exactly, do the three checks after every insertion, and keep notes for your follow-up. Decide after two to three weeks, not after two to three days.

    Guide

    How to insert a scleral lens

    Fill the lens to the brim with preservative-free saline, look straight down with your face parallel to the floor, hold both lids wide at the lashes, and bring the lens straight up to your eye in one smooth motion. Then check for bubbles every time.

     Common worry

    Are scleral lenses hard to put in?

    At first, usually yes. It's a learned skill, and the first tries can take a long time. But in a year-long study, most wearers got noticeably faster and needed fewer attempts as the months went on. Give yourself two to three weeks before deciding you can't do it.

    Sources

    1. Macedo-de-Araújo RJ, van der Worp E, González-Méijome JM. A one-year prospective study on scleral lens wear success. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2020;43(6):553-561. doi:10.1016/j.clae.2019.10.140 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
    2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Everyday Eye Care (contact lenses). Content current as of December 4, 2023. fda.gov

    Last updated October 2, 2026. Found an error or a newer study? Let us know and we'll correct the page.