Dry Eye and Contact Lenses: Tips for Comfortable Wear

Dry eyes can make wearing contact lenses a real pain. Your eyes feel scratchy, your vision gets blurry, and you just want to take those lenses out. But do not worry — there are ways to keep your eyes comfy and your lenses in place.
 

What Causes Dry Eye in Contact Lens Wearers?

Contact lenses can worsen dry eye in certain cases. They sit on your eye’s surface and can soak up tears. This leaves less moisture for your eyes. Sometimes, lenses can also change how your tears spread over your eyes.
 

Other things like aging, taking certain medicines, or having health issues like diabetes can cause dry eye, too. Even staring at screens for too long or being in a dry, windy environment can dry out your eyes.
 

But do not give up your lenses. There are many ways to keep your eyes healthy while wearing contacts.
 

Signs of Dry Eye

How do you know if you have dry eye? Your eyes might feel scratchy or gritty. You might experience a burning or stinging sensation in your eyes. Your eyes might feel tired or heavy. You might also experience blurry vision, red eyes, light sensitivity, and a feeling like something is in your eye.
 

If you wear contacts, you might find they feel uncomfortable or move around more than usual. Your eyes might water a lot, too. This might seem odd for dry eyes, but your eyes are trying to counter the lack of moisture.
 

Choosing the Right Contact Lenses

Picking the right lenses can make a huge difference if you have dry eyes. Some specialty lenses can help with this problem.
 

Two types work really well: scleral lenses and soft lenses. These are not your regular contacts. They have a design that helps keep your eyes wet and comfortable.
 

Scleral lenses are bigger than regular contacts. They cover more of your eye, which helps trap moisture. Soft lenses also hold onto moisture better. This means your eyes stay moist for longer.
 

There is also something called moisture chamber glasses. They are not contacts, but special glasses that block wind and dry air. They create a little humid space around your eyes.
 

Tips for Comfortable Lens Wear

·       Keep your lenses clean.

·       Do not wear your lenses for too long.

·       Use eye drops made for contact lenses.

·       Take breaks from your lenses.

·       Blink more often.

·       Stay hydrated.

·       Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry air.

·       Eat a healthy diet.

·       Protect your eyes from wind and sun.
 

Remember, these tips can help, but if you are still having trouble, consult your eye doctor. They might suggest other treatments or changes to your lens care routine.
 

When to See Your Eye Doctor

Sometimes, dry eye can be more than just annoying. It can lead to eye damage if not treated. See your eye doctor if:
 

·       Your symptoms do not get better with home care.

·       Your eyes are very red or painful.

·       Your vision changes or worsens.

·       You have thick discharge from your eyes.
 

Do not wait to get help if you are having problems. Your eye doctor can check your eyes and lenses to ensure everything is okay.
 

For more information on dry eyes, visit West End Eye Care at our Hartford or Glastonbury, Connecticut, offices. Call (860) 295-4300 or (860) 633-7889 to schedule an appointment today.

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/great-contact-lenses-dry-eyes
 

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