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    Wearing guide

    How to remove a scleral lens

    Taking a scleral lens out with a removal plunger: where it goes, how to break the seal gently, and what to do with the lens once it's out.

    By the Scleral Lens Team · Updated October 2, 2026 · 4 published sources cited

    The short answer

    Put a drop or two of artificial tears in your eye first. Then press the small removal plunger onto the lower third of the lens, never the center, until it grips, and pull outward. Do it over a towel, and clean the lens right away.

    Before you start

    Time: A few minutes once you have the knack. Allow longer at first.

    • A removal plunger (the small cup, not the wide inserter)
    • Artificial tears your fitter has approved
    • A clean towel over the counter, and the sink drain covered
    • A mirror
    • Your daily cleaner, preservative-free saline, and your lens case with fresh solution

    Step by step

    1. Wash and dry your hands

      Plain, non-moisturizing soap, then dry completely with a lint-free towel.

    2. Set up over something soft

      Lay a towel on the counter and cover the drain, so a dropped lens lands safely.

    3. Add a drop or two of artificial tears

      This adds moisture under the lens and helps loosen the seal before you start.

    4. Find the lower third of the lens

      Look in the mirror. If your lower lid covers the bottom of the lens, hold it down gently with a finger of your other hand.

    5. Press the plunger on gently

      Place the plunger's cup on the lower third of the lens, near its edge, never in the center. Press gently until you feel it grip.

    6. Pull outward

      Pull the plunger outward. Because it's off-center, the lower edge lifts first and the seal breaks, and the lens comes away on the plunger.

    7. Take the lens off the plunger

      Slide the lens off the plunger over the towel, holding it by the edges.

    8. Clean the lens right away

      Rub each side gently with your daily cleaner for about 20 seconds, rinse with preservative-free saline, and put it in the case with fresh solution. Never use water.

    9. Do the other eye, then tidy up

      Remove the second lens the same way. Clean your plunger the way your fitter showed you, and let your tools air-dry.

    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.

    Where the plunger goes

    ✓ Lower third of the lens
    ✗ Not the center

    Press the plunger gently onto the lower third of the lens until you feel it grip, then pull outward. Placing it off-center, not on the middle, is the key.

    The single most important detail is placement. A scleral lens stays on because of a seal of fluid between the lens and your eye. Pulling from the lower third tips the edge up first and lets that seal go. Pulling from the center works against it, which is why a centered plunger feels like it’s stuck fast.

    Two tools that look alike

    Most wearers have two plungers. The inserter has a wide cup that cradles the whole lens and holds the saline. The remover has a small cup that grips the lens near its edge. Keep them apart, ideally in different places or colors, so you never reach for the wrong one with a lens in your eye.

    After the lens is out

    Cleaning straight away stops the day’s deposits from hardening onto the lens.

    • Rub, don’t just soak. Rubbing removes film and deposits that solution alone doesn’t. The FDA advises rubbing and rinsing lenses as directed by your eye care professional.[1]
    • Fresh solution every night. Empty the case and refill it. Never top off old solution.[1]
    • Keep water away. Not on the lens, not in the case.[1]
    • Using hydrogen peroxide? Soak for the full time on the label, in the case that came with that bottle. The peroxide has to finish neutralizing before the lens touches your eye.[2]
    • Replace your case every three months, or as your eye care professional directs.[1]
    • Clean the plunger too. In a series of infections in scleral lens wearers, the authors listed cleaning the plunger among the care steps to emphasize.[4]

    If you wear makeup, the order is lenses in, then makeup; lenses out, then makeup off.[3]

    If the lens won’t come out

    Don’t pull harder. Add another drop of artificial tears, wait a minute, and try again with the plunger on the lower third. Most of the time that’s all it takes. If it still won’t release, see what to do when a scleral lens is stuck.

    Common mistakes

    • Placing the plunger in the center of the lens. It pulls straight against the seal instead of breaking it.
    • Mixing up the plunger and the inserter. The remover has the small cup; the inserter has the wide one.
    • Pulling harder when it won't release. Rest a minute, add tears, and try again.
    • Removing over an open sink or a hard floor.
    • Topping off yesterday's solution in the case instead of emptying it and using fresh.
    • Rinsing the lens or case with tap water.

    Common questions

    Why the lower third and not the middle?

    The lens is held on by a seal of fluid. A plunger in the middle pulls straight against that seal. Off-center, the edge lifts first and lets air in, which releases it.

    Does taking the lens out hurt?

    It shouldn't. You may feel a brief pull as the seal breaks. If removal is painful or the lens feels stuck most evenings, tell your fitter: it can mean the lens is fitting too tightly.

    Should I remove my lenses before taking off makeup?

    Yes. The FDA advises putting makeup on after your lenses are in, and taking lenses out before you remove makeup.

    Can I remove a scleral lens without a plunger?

    Use the method your fitter taught you. If the plunger isn't working for you, ask your fitter about other options rather than improvising.

    How long do my lenses need to soak in a hydrogen peroxide system?

    For the full time on the product's label, in the new case that comes with each bottle. The peroxide must finish neutralizing before the lens goes back in your eye.

    Keep going

    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.

    Guide

    What to do when a scleral lens is stuck

    Stop pulling. Put a drop or two of artificial tears in your eye, wait a minute, and try again with the plunger on the lower third of the lens, not the center. If it still won't come out after a few gentle tries, call your eye doctor rather than forcing it.

     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. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Contact Lens Risks. Content current as of September 4, 2018. fda.gov
    2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution (contact lenses). Updated July 26, 2023. fda.gov
    3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Everyday Eye Care (contact lenses). Content current as of December 4, 2023. fda.gov
    4. Sticca MP, Carrijo-Carvalho LC, Silva IMB, et al. Acanthamoeba keratitis in patients wearing scleral contact lenses. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2018;41(3):307-310. doi:10.1016/j.clae.2017.12.004 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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