If your scleral lenses become cloudy or uncomfortable during the day, a detailed review can help identify what needs to change. At Vision Camberwell Optometrists, we combine experience in complex contact lens fitting with careful assessment of lens design, surface condition and eye health.
Our aim is to improve the clarity, comfort and useful wearing time of your lenses through a plan tailored to your eyes.
Contents
Fogging and blur during wear
Clouding beneath the lens
Midday fogging describes the accumulation of particles in the fluid reservoir between a scleral lens and the cornea during wear. It can make vision appear cloudy, although it does not necessarily begin at midday. The material can have different sources, and the causes are not fully understood. Lens fit, the filling solution and ocular surface inflammation may all contribute. 1
Other reasons vision becomes blurry
Not every episode of blurred vision is midday fogging. Deposits or poor wetting on the front lens surface, an insertion bubble, a change in prescription or an eye-health problem can also affect clarity. We examine where the clouding occurs before recommending a change. Tear exchange beneath the lens and the way the landing zone fits the eye may be relevant, but there is no single adjustment that resolves every case. 13
Discomfort and reduced wearing time
If your lenses are becoming harder to tolerate, we review the landing zone and lens edge, surface condition and care routine, as well as the health of the eye surface and eyelids. Tell us if this is a change from your usual wearing time. The review helps us decide whether the lens, the eye surface or both need attention. Pain, redness, light sensitivity or reduced vision require prompt assessment rather than an attempt to adapt. 2
What we check at a review
Lens fit and eye-surface assessment
We assess your vision, the lens surface and fluid reservoir, the clearance over the cornea, and how the lens lands on the surrounding conjunctiva. We look for compression, edge irritation, deposits and signs of ocular surface disease. Where useful, fluorescein assessment can help us evaluate tear entry beneath the lens; this is interpreted alongside the rest of the examination. 1
Your products and wearing routine
We also review the exact products you use for filling, cleaning and disinfection, along with insertion and removal technique. Tell us when symptoms start, whether one eye is worse and whether removing and refilling the lens restores clarity. Bring your lenses and care products to the appointment, and ask us how long to wear the lenses beforehand so we can assess the problem safely.
When a lens change may be considered
Care products and the eye surface
The right intervention depends on the findings. It may involve improving the cleaning routine, trialling a different suitable preservative-free filling solution, treating an ocular surface condition, or modifying the lens design. A filling solution with a different electrolyte composition may help some wearers, but a solution change does not resolve fogging for everyone. 1
Adjusting or replacing the lens
Where the fit is contributing, we work with our contact lens laboratories to refine the landing zone, clearance or other design features as appropriate. A refit may be the right first step when a fit problem is clear; it does not always need to wait until other measures have failed. We explain the purpose of each change and review how the lens performs in everyday wear. If you are new to scleral lenses, our scleral lens fitting and fees page explains how to get started.
Use only the sterile, preservative-free filling solution recommended for your scleral lenses. Do not substitute tap water or homemade saline, and do not use cleaning or disinfecting solution to fill the lens for insertion. 1 2
When to stop wear and seek prompt advice
Remove the lens and seek urgent eye assessment if you develop pain, redness, increasing light sensitivity, discharge or a sudden reduction in vision. Do not reinsert the lens while waiting for advice. If Vision Camberwell Optometrists is closed or you cannot reach us, seek urgent eye care elsewhere. Do not assume a new episode of painful or markedly reduced vision is ordinary fogging. 2
Your next step
Book a scleral lens review at Vision Camberwell Optometrists if fogging, discomfort or reduced wearing time is interfering with your day. We will investigate the cause and discuss whether a change in lens care, eye-surface treatment or a personalised refit is most appropriate.
Our scleral lens care guide explains everyday handling and cleaning. If visual distortion persists after fit, surface and fogging problems have been assessed, our advanced scleral lens optics page explains how further optical refinement may help selected patients.
Questions patients often ask
Does midday fogging mean my scleral lens needs replacing?
Not necessarily. Clouding may involve the fluid reservoir, the front lens surface or another cause of blur. We assess where the problem occurs before recommending changes to care, eye-surface treatment or lens design. A refit is appropriate when the findings support it. 1
Will changing saline stop my lenses fogging?
A suitable alternative filling solution may help some wearers, but there is no universal solution. Discuss changes with us and use only the sterile, preservative-free filling product recommended for your lenses. Cleaning or disinfecting fluid is not a substitute for a filling solution. 134
Should I wear my lenses before a fogging review?
Contact us for instructions so we can plan to assess the lenses when the problem is usually present. Tell us how long you can wear them comfortably. Do not keep wearing a painful lens or delay urgent assessment just to demonstrate fogging.
When is cloudy vision urgent?
Remove the lens and seek urgent eye care if clouding comes with pain, redness, light sensitivity, discharge or a sudden reduction in vision. Do not assume it is ordinary fogging or reinsert the lens while waiting for advice. If VCO is unavailable, seek urgent care elsewhere. 2
Visit Vision Camberwell Optometrists
Vision Camberwell Optometrists is at 784 Burke Road, Camberwell VIC 3124, in Melbourne’s inner east. We welcome patients from Camberwell, Hawthorn, Balwyn, Kew, Canterbury and across Melbourne. Consultations are available in English and Mandarin with Jue Wang; mention your language preference when booking.
Call (03) 9882 5666 or contact our team to arrange an appointment and confirm the right appointment type for your needs.
References
- Fogt JS. Midday Fogging of Scleral Contact Lenses: Current Perspectives. Clinical Optometry. 2021;13:209–219. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S284634.
- United States Food and Drug Administration. Contact Lens Risks. Accessed 11 September 2026.
- Fogt JS, Nau C, Harthan J, et al. Lens and solution properties in patients with and without midday fogging. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 2024;44(4):769–773. doi:10.1111/opo.13293.
- Fogt JS, Karres M, Barr JT. Changes in Symptoms of Midday Fogging with a Novel Scleral Contact Lens Filling Solution. Optometry and Vision Science. 2020;97(9):690–696. doi:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001559.
Reviewed by Dr Shonit Jagmohan, B.Optom (Hons), FIAOMC, IACMM, Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber, Fellowship Chair for the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (Oceania). Last reviewed October 2026.
Visit us in Camberwell
T. (03) 9882 5666
E. vision@visioncamberwell.com.au
Find Us at:
784 Burke Rd, Camberwell
Victoria 3124, Australia
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday and Friday. 9am – 6pm
Wednesday. 9am – 5pm
Thursday. 10.30am – 7.30pm
Saturday. CLOSED
Book your appointment with one of our friendly team members today
T: (03) 9882 5666
Serving Camberwell and the Surrounding South Eastern Suburbs
An independent practice in Camberwell since 1951, we are experts in specialty contact lenses, including scleral lens fogging, discomfort and refitting for keratoconus and irregular corneas. We welcome patients from Hawthorn, Deepdene, Surrey Hills, Balwyn, Kew, Canterbury, Box Hill, Glen Iris, and across greater Melbourne.
