Inserter vs remover
They look alike, and new wearers mix them up.
- Inserter: a larger cup. You sit the lens in it, fill the lens with saline, and bring it up to your eye.
- Remover (removal plunger): a smaller suction cup. You press it gently on the lower third of the lens, never the center, then lift outward to break the seal.
The full techniques are in how to insert and how to remove.
Insertion tools
Plunger-style inserters
This is the tool most people start with: a handle with a wide cup on top. DMV makes a widely used version, and unbranded versions work the same way. The things to check are that the cup holds your lens securely and that you can hold the handle steadily.
With or without a hole. Some inserters have a small opening in the bottom of the cup. Looking through it lets you see the center of your eye through the lens, which makes it easier to line up. Some wearers cut the tip off a solid inserter to make their own opening. Ask your fitter before you modify a tool, and make sure the cut edge is smooth.
Finger ring tools
A ring tool, such as the EZi Ring, is a flexible ring worn on a finger that holds the lens. It lets you bring the lens up with your hand instead of a handle. Some people find this more natural, especially if a handle feels wobbly.
Insertion stands
A stand holds the filled lens upright on a surface, so you can use both hands to hold your eyelids open and lower your eye onto the lens. DMV and See-Green both make stands. They can help if you can’t hold your lids and an inserter at the same time.
The DIY version. Some wearers poke a hole in a disposable cup, push the inserter through it wide end up, and set the cup over their phone’s flashlight. The light shows you where the lens is. Ask your fitter whether it’s a good option for you before you try it.
Which tool for which problem
| If this is the problem | Ask your fitter about |
|---|---|
| You can’t see where to aim | An inserter with a hole, or a stand set over a light |
| You can’t hold your lids and the tool at once | An insertion stand |
| Your hands shake | A stand, or bracing techniques (shaky hands) |
| The handle feels hard to control | A ring tool |
| The remover keeps slipping | A fresh, dry plunger, or a different size (plunger won’t grip) |
Learning takes time whatever you use. In a year-long study that followed 95 scleral lens wearers, the number of attempts participants needed to apply and remove their lenses decreased significantly over the year.[3]
Keep your tools clean
Your tools touch the lens, and the lens touches your eye. Treat them the same way you treat the lens: no water, ever.
That rule is not hypothetical. A published case report described a long-term rigid lens wearer who developed Acanthamoeba keratitis in both eyes. She used a rubber suction applicator that she routinely rinsed with tap water, and lab testing found Acanthamoeba DNA in washes from inside the device. The authors recommend replacing these tools regularly and keeping them away from water.[1] It’s one patient, so it tells us this can happen, not how often. A separate report of infections in scleral lens wearers also listed cleaning of the plunger among its care recommendations.[2]
- Rinse tools with the solution your fitter recommends, never tap, bottled, or distilled water.[4]
- Let them air-dry fully before you put them away.
- Store them in a clean, closed container, not loose in a bag.
- Replace them on the schedule your fitter gives you, and any time one is damaged or has lost its grip.
- Keep a spare of each. Tools are small and easy to lose.
Common mistakes
- Using the remover to insert, or the inserter to remove.
- Placing the remover on the center of the lens instead of the lower third.
- Rinsing tools under the tap.
- Storing a plunger wet in a closed bag.
- Modifying a tool or building a stand without checking with your fitter.
- Keeping a plunger that has lost its grip.
Common questions
Do I have to use a tool at all?
Some experienced wearers insert or remove by hand, but most people use an inserter, and many use a removal plunger. Ask your fitter whether a tool-free method suits your lens and fit before trying one.
Are cheaper unbranded tools as good as branded ones?
Many work the same way. What matters is that the cup fits your lens and the tool feels steady in your hand. Ask your fitter to check a new tool against your lens.
How do I clean my plunger?
The way your fitter shows you, with sterile solution, never tap water. Let it air-dry fully before you store it.
My plunger won't stick to the lens anymore.
It may be worn out, wet, or the wrong size. Try a fresh, dry one. See our guide on a plunger that won't grip.
Can I build my own insertion stand?
Some wearers make a simple stand that holds the inserter over a phone's flashlight. Check with your fitter first that it's suitable for you, and keep every part that touches the lens clean.