Best Contacts for Dry Eyes

Many people with Dry Eye symptoms find their symptoms exacerbated when they wear contact lenses. If you suffer from this, can you not wear contact lenses? Proper management and selecting the best contacts for dry eyes allow you to wear contact lenses more often and with greater comfort. What follows is a brief description of what dry eye is, some myths regarding contact lens wear and dry eyes, and some tips on selecting the best contacts for dry eyes. Of course, you should always consult your eye doctor to determine which option is best for you.

Understanding Dry Eyes and Their Impact on Comfort and Vision

In dry eye syndrome, the eyes do not produce enough tears or evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, redness, burning, itching, and blurred vision.

Dry eye syndrome can cause irritating sensations like itchiness, scratchiness, soreness, and burning in the eyes. You may experience a gritty, sandy feeling as if something is constantly in your eye. Redness, swelling, and inflammation of the eyelids and eye surface are also common.

As the eyes struggle to stay lubricated, you may notice stringy mucus gathering in or around your eyes. Blurred vision is another symptom, and it may fluctuate throughout the day. Photo-phobia, eye discomfort in sunlight, is another symptom that can happen with dry eye. The eyes may also excessively water, which seems counterintuitive for a condition caused by insufficient tears.

Living with dry eyes can be frustrating. The chronic irritation and fluctuating vision can make reading, driving, computer use, and other daily activities more difficult. Contact lens wear may become intolerable. You may even lose sleep due to ocular discomfort disrupting your sleep patterns.

Dry eye syndrome can profoundly impact daily life and mental health. Here’s an overview of some of the common ways it can interfere with activities and well-being when symptoms are left unchecked:

Reading, computing, watching shows – anything requiring extended visual concentration becomes difficult and frustrating. Reduced blinking while staring at screens exacerbates dryness and eyestrain and reduces work productivity.

Driving, especially at night, may have to be avoided due to impaired, fluctuating vision and glare sensitivity. Blurred vision also hinders the enjoyment of crafts, sports, hobbies, and tasks requiring detailed, up-close work.

Sleep can suffer as burning and dryness can make it hard to fall asleep at night. Chronic exhaustion sets in.

Coping with constant eye irritation and visual limitations causes anxiety, stress, anger, and sadness for many. Reddened eyes and dependence on drops can erode self-confidence.

In essence, dry eyes can severely reduce the quality of life by limiting productivity, independence, social connections, hobbies, sleep, and mental health. However, seeking professional treatment is vital to manage your symptoms with various therapies effectively. Proper care can restore the activities and happiness dampened by dry eyes.

Debunking the Myth: Can Contact Lenses Be Worn by People with Dry Eyes?

Dry eye is common in contact lens wearers. Many people believe some misleading myths about how contact lens use relates to dry eyes. Let’s separate contact lens facts from fiction.

Myth #1: Contact lenses themselves cause dry eyes.

Contact lenses do not inherently cause dryness or reduce tear production. However, contacts can exaggerate dry eye symptoms in people with underlying dryness issues. Proper lens hygiene, limited wearing schedules, and adequate selection of contact lens materials help.

Myth #2: Hard lenses are better than soft lenses for dry eyes.

Soft contact lenses are more comfortable and better tolerated by most dry-eye patients. Silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen to pass through, often reduce dry eye symptoms, and many options of daily disposable lenses are beneficial in reducing dry eye symptoms as well.

Myth #3: Anti-redness eye drops are suitable for managing dry eye redness.

These drops constrict blood vessels but do not treat the root causes of dryness and can worsen symptoms long-term. Lubricating drops made explicitly for dry eyes are better.

Myth #4: You cannot wear lenses with dry eyes.

Many dry eye patients can still successfully wear contact lenses with proper care and ophthalmic management.

The key is working closely with your eye doctor to find the ideal contact lens type and wearing schedule for your unique dry eye situation. Don’t let myths deter you from considering contacts.

You may find contact lens wear challenging if you have dry eye syndrome. However, new technologies make contact lenses more tolerable and beneficial for dry eye patients. Here are some promising innovations:

Silicone Hydrogel Materials: Silicone hydrogels’ extremely high oxygen permeability reduces corneal irritation and redness for dry eye wearers. Brands like Biofinity and Air Optix have skirt and surface designs that also support tear film stability.

Lubricating Lenses: Some new lenses have a lubricating agent permanently bonded onto the surface. These attract and hold moisture while worn, keeping eyes continuously hydrated. Examples are DAILIES Total1 and OASYS with HydraLuxe.

Lipid-infused Lenses: Lipids are the oily component of natural tears. New lenses like DAILIES AquaComfort Plus infuse extracts that supplement lipid layer deficiency in dry eyes.

In summary, the contact lens industry recognizes the challenges dry eye presents for lens wearers. Through innovative materials, lens coatings, and wearing schedules, newer lenses can support dry eye patients better than ever before. Consult your eye doctor to find the best options for maximizing vision and comfort.

Top Contact Lens Options for Dry Eyes

If you have chronic dry eye, you know the irritation and blurred vision it can cause. But you don’t have to give up your contact lenses! Here are some of the top brands and specific lenses recommended for dry eye patients:

DAILIES Total1 – These daily disposables have a moisture-rich lubricant locked into the lens material to sustain wetness throughout your wearing time, reducing end-of-day dryness. Dailies Total 1 combines the benefits of a silicone hydrogel center sandwiched within layers of a special gel that approximates a very high water content. I find it to be the best option for most of my dry eye patients.

Bausch & Lomb Ultra: This lens is made of high-breathability silicone hydrogel and supplies extra oxygen to the eyes. They also have a permanent wetting agent for lasting hydration. I successfully use this lens for many of my dry eye patients.

OASYS with HydraLuxe – Utilizing novel HydraGlyde technology, these lenses by Johnson & Johnson attract and retain moisture in your eyes for long-lasting comfort.

Biofinity: CooperVision’s silicone hydrogel lenses provide premium breathability. The Aquaform technology helps stabilize the tear film, which promotes long-lasting comfort throughout the day.

Total 30 monthly: These monthly disposable lenses are a relatively new lens manufactured by Alcon. The same manufacturer produces Daily Total 1 lenses. Alcon claims that Total 30 gives almost the same comfort as Daily Total 1 lenses for many patients. Total 30 works very well for many of my dry eye patients.

When choosing lenses for dryness, focus on lenses with lasting hydration features. Consult your eye doctor to find the right brand, fit, power, and wearing schedule for your eyes. The possibilities for clear, comfortable vision are better than ever!

Expert Tips for Choosing and Using Contacts for Dry Eyes

Finding the right contact lenses is critical for chronic dry eye issues. The ideal contacts will keep your eyes feeling comfortably hydrated all day long. When consulting with your optometrist, be sure to ask about lenses with these important dry eye-friendly qualities:

Lenses made from high oxygen permeability materials like silicone hydrogel allow maximum oxygen to reach your eyes, which reduces irritation and inflammation. Lenses that slowly release lubricants or have an embedded lipid layer provide lasting hydration hour after hour, reducing or preventing midday dryness and discomfort.

Advanced surface coatings create an ultra-smooth lens that prevents friction against the sensitive membranes of your eyes as you blink.

Good UV ray-filtering protects eyes from harsh sunlight. And opt for lenses made of durable yet flexible materials that allow for easy, stress-free insertion and removal each day. Consider these criteria while consulting your eye doctor to find contact lenses that get you seeing clearly and feeling comfortably – even with dry eye challenges.

Caring for contacts properly minimizes dry, irritated eyes while wearing lenses. Be diligent about following replacement schedules. Don’t over-wear disposable lenses, as old lenses accumulate deposits that can irritate your eyes and worsen your dry eye symptoms. Clean lenses thoroughly with fresh solution every time you take them out to wash away mucus, oils, and debris that may accumulate.

Avoid sleeping in your contacts unless prescribed extended-wear lenses, as oxygen flow to the eyes decreases during sleep—always store lenses in fresh contact lens solution rather than saline or tap water to keep them hydrated. Remember to wash your hands carefully before handling lenses to prevent bacteria transfer into the eyes.

With diligent daily care and maintenance between appointments, your contact lenses can be comfortable even if you have chronic dry eye issues. Regularly visit your optometrist to evaluate your lens fit, eye health, and vision over time.

If you have dry eye syndrome, maximizing comfort is critical to successfully wearing contact lenses. Use preservative-free artificial tears or re-wetting drops periodically throughout the day as needed.

Be proactive in managing environmental factors like indoor air humidity, airflow, and lighting that can exacerbate dryness symptoms. Limit digital screen time and take frequent visual breaks when using devices. Closely follow your optometrist’s recommended contact lens replacement schedule to prevent irritating deposit buildup.

With the proper proactive steps, dry eyes don’t have to prevent enjoying contact lens wear’s convenience and visual clarity. Work with your optometrist to optimize your lenses, care regimen, and environment to keep your eyes feeling fresh.