Which suction cup suits your lenses?
Inserting and removing contact lenses calls for precision. Long nails, dry eyes or the wish not to touch the eye directly with your fingers make a suitable tool indispensable. Which model is suitable depends on your lens type and on the task: inserting, removing or both.
Important: A suction cup that is too small does not provide enough stability for a large scleral lens, while a tool for rigid lenses must never be used for soft lenses. Always choose the model that matches your lens type.
Suction cups for hard rigid lenses (RGP)
RGP lenses (Rigid Gas Permeable) are smaller, rigid lenses that rest on the cornea:
- RGP Klassiek: vented stem that lets you control the suction with a light squeeze when inserting and removing.
- RGP Stevig: thicker-walled vented stem for an extra firm grip on rigid lenses.
- RGP 45°: solid suction cup with a 45-degree angled head for a clear view in the mirror when removing and inserting.
- RGP Slank: insertion aid without suction (fits over the finger or on a penlight), suitable for lenses larger than 13 mm.
- RGP Mini / RGP Origineel: compact solid removal suction cups for rigid lenses.
Suction cups for scleral lenses
Scleral lenses are larger rigid lenses that are filled with sterile saline solution and rest on the white of the eye (the sclera):
- Sclera Ventilatie: insertion aid with a continuous air hole that prevents a vacuum from forming during placement.
- Sclera Stevig / Sclera Groot: large solid suction cup for stable insertion and controlled handling of large scleral lenses.
- Sclera Klassiek / Sclera Flexibel: double-sided models with an insertion side and a removal side in one tool.
- Sclera 45°: 45-degree angle for breaking the vacuum at the lower edge of the lens in a controlled way during removal.
- Sclera Slank / Sclera Licht: insertion aids without suction that can be placed on a finger or a penlight.
Suction cups for hybrid lenses
Hybrid lenses combine a rigid centre with a soft edge:
- Hybride Ventilatie: vented insertion cup that prevents the lens from forming a vacuum on the tool during placement.
- Hybride Slank: narrow insertion aid without suction for hybrid lenses larger than 13 mm.
Tools for soft lenses
Soft contact lenses are flexible and are not removed with a vacuum suction cup, but with special tools without suction:
- Zacht Kort: fitted with soft gripping pads for removing the soft lens without nail contact and a shallow hollow on the back for inserting the lens.
- Zacht Slank: slim insertion aid without suction for soft lenses larger than 13 mm (fits over the finger or on a penlight).
Suction cups for Ortho-K, CRT and prosthetic eyes
- Ortho-K and CRT night lenses: the Ortho-K Klassiek or CRT Klassiek model offers a vented stem that lets you release night lenses in a controlled way in the morning.
- Prosthetic eyes: the Oogprothese Groot model has an extra wide suction surface for safely placing and removing an ocular prosthesis.
Overview by lens type
| Lens type | Recommended models | Collection |
|---|---|---|
| RGP (hard lenses) | RGP Klassiek, RGP Stevig or RGP 45° | RGP lenses |
| Scleral lenses | Sclera Ventilatie (inserting), Sclera Stevig or Sclera 45° (removing) | Scleral lenses |
| Hybrid lenses | Hybride Ventilatie or Hybride Slank | Hybrid lenses |
| Soft lenses | Zacht Kort or Zacht Slank (> 13 mm) | Soft lenses |
| Ortho-K / CRT | Ortho-K Klassiek / CRT Klassiek | Ortho-K / CRT |
| Prosthetic eye | Oogprothese Groot | Prosthetic eyes |
Tips for safe use and maintenance
- Wash your hands: wash your hands with mild, lotion-free soap and dry them with a lint-free towel before using the tool.
- Check the lens position: only place a suction cup on a visible lens and never on the uncovered eye.
- Clean as instructed: clean the tool with warm water and mild, lotion-free soap (or according to the manufacturer's instructions for use) and let it air dry. Do not use alcohol or heat unless the manufacturer permits it.
- Replace in good time: replace the tool at signs of wear or as advised by your contact lens specialist.