Learning how to put on sclera contacts can feel a bit like trying to fit a dinner plate into your eye the first time you try it, but I promise it gets much easier with a little practice. If you've ever used standard colored contacts, you know the drill, but scleras are a whole different beast. Because they cover almost the entire visible part of your eye—not just the iris—the technique requires a bit more patience and a steady hand.
The sheer size of a 22mm lens is intimidating. It's normal to feel a little squeamish or for your eyelids to go into full lockdown mode when you see that giant piece of medical-grade plastic coming toward your face. However, once you get the rhythm down, you'll be able to pop them in and finish your cosplay or SFX makeup look in minutes rather than hours.
Getting your workspace and hands ready
Before you even touch the lenses, you need to make sure your environment is set up for success. You don't want to be fumbling around with a giant lens while your hands are covered in makeup or bathroom germs.
First things first: wash your hands. This isn't just a polite suggestion; it's the most important step for eye safety. Use a plain, unscented, oil-free soap. Any oils or perfumes on your skin will transfer to the lens, and let me tell you, getting fragrance-heavy soap residue trapped under a sclera lens is a special kind of pain you want to avoid. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel. If you use a regular fluffy towel, those tiny fibers will hitch a ride on your fingers, get stuck to the lens, and feel like a scratchy wool sweater on your eyeball.
Clear off a flat surface and lay down a clean paper towel. This way, if you drop the lens (which will probably happen a few times at first), it lands on something clean rather than disappearing down the drain or hitting a dusty floor.
The saline trick is a game changer
One of the biggest mistakes people make when learning how to put on sclera contacts is trying to put them in dry or with just a drop of solution. Sclera lenses are designed to hold a reservoir of fluid against your eye. This is what keeps your cornea hydrated and the lens comfortable.
You'll want to use a sterile, preservative-free saline solution. Fill the "bowl" of the lens until the liquid is slightly crowning over the top—sort of like a muffin top of saline. The goal is to have the liquid touch your eye before the lens actually does. This creates a suction effect that helps the lens settle into place and, more importantly, prevents air bubbles from getting trapped. If you get an air bubble, it'll be uncomfortable and look a bit funky, so the "overfilling" method is your best friend.
Choosing your insertion method
There are two main ways to get these giant lenses into your eyes. Some people swear by their fingers, while others prefer using a small tool called a sclera plunger or inserter.
The tripod method (using your fingers)
If you aren't using a tool, you'll use the "tripod" technique. You balance the lens on the tips of your thumb, index, and middle fingers. This creates a stable base for the lens so it doesn't flop over. Since the lens is so wide, balancing it on just one finger usually results in the edges folding in on themselves.
The plunger method
Many people find a specialized sclera plunger much easier. It's a little rubber device that holds the lens for you. You just squeeze the handle to create a tiny bit of suction, set the lens on top, and fill it with saline. This gives you a much better range of motion and keeps your fingers out of your line of sight.
The actual insertion: step by step
Now for the part that makes everyone nervous. The trick here is to keep both eyes open and look straight down at a mirror placed flat on the table. If you try to look at yourself in a wall mirror, the saline will just pour out of the lens before it hits your eye.
- Pin your lids back: Use your non-dominant hand to pull your upper eyelid up firmly. Use the ring finger or middle finger of your dominant hand to pull your lower lid down. You need to create a wide "window" for the lens. Don't be afraid to really grip the skin near the lashes; if you let go too soon, your blink reflex will win.
- The slow approach: While looking straight down into the mirror, move the lens slowly toward your eye. Keep your focus on the center of the lens.
- Make contact: As you move closer, the saline "muffin top" will touch your eye first. It'll feel cold, but don't flinch! Keep moving the lens forward until you feel it rest against your eye.
- The release: Once the lens is on, don't just let go of your eyelids and start blinking like crazy. Slowly release your lower lid first, then the upper lid.
- Settle the lens: Look up, down, left, and right while your eyes are closed to help the lens center itself.
Dealing with air bubbles and discomfort
If you open your eye and it feels like there's a sharp pebble in there, or if you see a clear gap in the color, you've probably got an air bubble. This usually happens if you didn't use enough saline or if you tilted the lens too much during insertion.
Unfortunately, you can't really "blink out" an air bubble in a sclera lens like you can with a regular contact. You'll usually need to take the lens out, refill it with saline, and try again. It's annoying, sure, but it's much better than trying to suffer through the irritation.
If the lens feels scratchy, check for any tiny bits of lint or dust. Even a microscopic speck can feel like a boulder under a lens that large. Give it a good rinse with saline and give it another go.
How to take them out safely
Knowing how to put on sclera contacts is only half the battle; you also have to get them back out. This can be just as intimidating because the lenses have a bit of a suction grip.
The easiest way to remove them is to use a small removal tool (a different kind of plunger than the insertion one). You gently touch the tool to the lower part of the lens, and the suction pulls it away from your eye.
If you're using your fingers, look upward and use your finger to gently slide the lens down toward your lower eyelid. Once the seal is broken at the top, you can gently pinch the lens between your thumb and forefinger to lift it off. Just be careful not to pinch your actual eye!
A quick word on eye health
I know you want to look cool for your event or photoshoot, but your vision is more important than any costume. Sclera lenses are thick, and they don't allow as much oxygen to reach your cornea as regular lenses do.
Don't wear them for more than a few hours at a time, especially if you aren't used to them. If your eyes start to get really red, or if your vision gets blurry or "foggy," that's your eye's way of screaming for air. Take them out immediately. And it goes without saying, but never, ever sleep in them.
Always store your lenses in a clean case with fresh multipurpose solution designed for hard or RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) lenses, as many scleras are made from similar materials. Keep everything sterile, take your time, and don't get frustrated if it takes ten tries to get the first lens in. By the time you're doing the second eye, you'll already be a pro.