My Keratoconus Insertion Device
I thought I would share this device I "made" a few years ago to make lens insertion easier. I made it after seeing the insane prices of some insertion devices. E.g.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z5NCJ8D
This cost me about $15.
- Steps: I bought a cheap domed LED nightlight off Amazon. E.g.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC1QW2MC
- I detached the plastic dome from the underlying nightlight electronics
- I drilled a hole in the top of the plastic dome, of a diameter to fit my insertion suction cup
- I cut the bottom tip off the insertion suction cup so that it would not actually suction to the contact lens
How it works:
It's extremely simple. I put the insertion suction cup into the hole drilled in the plastic dome. I put my scleral lens on top of the suction cup and fill with saline. Because the dome is translucent, light shines through the dome walls and up through the hole in the insertion suction cup. This gives me a centering light to look at as I approach the scleral lens. I have both hands free to pull my top and bottom eyelids, which makes it incredibly easy to bend over, lower my eye to the lens, and insert it. Because I cut the bottom tip off the insertion suction cup, the lens adheres to my eye immediately upon contact, without the need to squeeze the insertion suction cup to relieve any suction.
This may be unneeded for many, since it's not that hard to master inserting sclerals. But I have found this an absolutely foolproof way to insert them right, every time, and thought it may be helpful to others.