How To Manage Dry Eyes With Contact Lenses

Dry eyes is a condition where your eyes cannot make enough tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. It affects millions of people in the United States every year and is more common among women than men. Symptoms may include burning, stinging, blurry vision, redness, or a gritty feeling in your eyes.

People who wear contact lenses (lenses that correct vision) may have a higher risk of developing dry eyes than those who don’t wear them. Contacts can irritate your eye’s tear film and decrease moisture on the eye’s natural lens, which can cause friction and lead to dryness.

It’s important to speak with an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye conditions) about contacts before getting them to make sure they’re the right choice for you.

Wearing contact lenses splits the tear film of your eyes into two layers, one in front of the contact and the other behind. The tear film is a layer of fluid on the eye that keeps the eye lubricated and protects it from debris.

When contacts split the tear film, this reduces moisture on the surface of the lenses, making them less stable and more prone to breaking after blinking. Since the tear film acts as a lubricant, this can increase friction between the lens and the eye’s surface, leading to dryness, discomfort, and irritation.

Contact lenses can also affect the meibomian glands, which are glands on the edge of the eyelid. These glands make an oil that helps prevent tears from drying out too quickly. Research suggests contact lens wearers may experience damage to the meibomian gland, possibly because contacts put pressure on these glands, resulting in less tear production.

Wearing certain types of contact lenses, such as those with high water content, can also absorb moisture from the tear film, further increasing dryness. Wearing any lenses for long periods of time or using improperly fitted lenses can also worsen dry eyes.

Managing your dry eyes mainly focuses on relieving your symptoms and helping you see clearly again. Your ophthalmologist may recommend treatment options based on the severity of your symptoms and if you have an underlying condition.

Here are some lifestyle changes that can help you manage dry eyes:

• Avoid environmental triggers: Exposure to cigarette smoke, wind, and air conditioning can make your symptoms worse. Wearing wraparound sunglasses or glasses can help you avoid such triggers.
• Use warm compresses: Applying warm compresses using hot towels, eye masks, and steaming goggles for about ten minutes can help relax your eyes and help you see better.
• Use a humidifier: Humidity levels and exposure to dry air can affect the severity of your dry eye symptoms and possibly make them worse. Humidifiers can help maintain the humidity in the air and prevent it from getting too dry.
• Take omega-3 supplements: Omega-3 supplements can improve tear production and reduce severe symptoms. You may want to talk to your ophthalmologist before taking them, especially if you are on immunosuppressive therapies.
• Rest your eyes: Reducing screen time and taking breaks while using computers or watching television can improve dry eye symptoms. Following the 20-20-20 rule (looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) can help.
• Get good sleep: Getting 8 hours of good-quality sleep every night can improve symptoms.

Your ophthalmologist may recommend artificial tear drops to help lubricate your eyes or medicated eye drops to increase tear production. In severe cases, they may also use silicone or gel plugs to prevent tears from draining out of your eyes.

Cleaning and disinfecting your contact lenses before you put them back on helps prevent eye irritation. Your ophthalmologist can teach you how to keep your lenses clean and dry. Other tips include the following:

• Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly before touching your lenses
• Avoid tap water for storing or cleaning your lens
• Rub your lenses with clean fingers, then rinse lenses using a lens cleaning solution, and store them in their case with more lens cleaning solution
• Use new lens solution every time you clean and disinfect your lenses
• Avoid showering, swimming, and other activities where water can enter your eyes while you’re wearing your lenses
• Remove your lenses before sleeping, especially if you use daily disposables
• Replace your contact lens storage case every three months or immediately if it gets damaged
• Replace your lenses if you haven’t worn or disinfected them for 30 days or longer

Many people choose contact lenses over glasses since they can move with your eye, providing a natural field of view. Unlike glasses, they don’t fog up and are better suited for people who engage in daily physical activities. However, contact lenses require longer eye exams, proper lens care, and frequent follow-up visits to your ophthalmologist.

Consult your ophthalmologist before considering contact lenses. Ophthalmologists can check your eye health and recommend the best type of lens for you.

The right lens choice depends on your eye health, comfort, and lifestyle. Options include:

• Soft lenses: These lenses are the most comfortable, are less likely to slip out of place, and require less time for your eyes to adjust. They’re easy to clean and available in various tinted colors. Your ophthalmologist may recommend wearing them daily if you play sports or do physical activities. However, vision may not be as sharp as with hard or rigid gas-permeable lenses.
• Hard lenses: These lenses require more time for adjustment, but they can correct almost all vision problems. They may be suitable for longer screen time due to their stability. 
• Silicone hydrogel: These soft contact lenses can provide more oxygen to your eye, which can help prevent eyes from drying out as quickly.
• Daily disposables: These lenses are less likely to cause dry eyes because they’re replaced daily. This reduces the likelihood of debris buildup, which can cause irritation and dryness.

Contact lenses may not be suitable if you have severe allergies, repeated eye infections, conditions that affect eye lubrication, or are constantly exposed to dust, smoke, or dirt for long periods.

Following your ophthalmologist’s instructions about cleaning and disinfecting your contact lenses is important to reduce the risk of dry eyes. You may also want to schedule follow-ups with your ophthalmologist to maintain your eye health.

Visit your ophthalmologist if you experience the following symptoms after wearing contact lenses:

• Red eyes
• Discomfort or pain
• Watery eyes
• Vision changes

They will likely examine your eyes to determine the cause of the symptoms. They may recommend a different type of contact lens, adjust the lens position, or suggest that you stop wearing the lens, based on your specific situation.

Dry eyes from contacts is a common condition that happens due to friction between the lens and the eye’s surface. Contacts split the tear film and lead to moisture loss. Certain contact lenses can absorb moisture from the eye, causing more dryness. If you’re considering getting contact lenses to correct your vision, it’s best to consult with your ophthalmologist.

Your ophthalmologist can recommend the best lenses for you. Care for your lenses by regularly cleaning and disinfecting them, as well as their case, to prevent serious eye infections.