When your eyes are dry, it’s hard to get your contact lenses in, making you wonder if it’s even possible to wear them. The answer is, yes, you can definitely wear contact lenses even with dry eyes! With some practical dryness management tips, your contact lens wearing can become much more comfortable.
Why Do Contact Lenses Make My Eyes So Dry?
You may notice that on days when you wear contact lenses, your eyes feel a lot drier than usual. Contact lenses can contribute to your eye dryness because of the way it sits in your eye. An eye without contact lenses has what’s called a tear film. That’s the thin layer of moisture that sits on top of your eye, protecting it from the environment. When you put a contact lens on top of that tear film, the tear film splits into two: half of the film goes in front of the lens, the other half moves to the back of the lens. This split tear film makes the front half evaporate much faster than a full tear film without contact lenses.
Can Contact Lenses Really Cause Dry Eyes?
So yes, because of the way the contact lens disrupts the tear film, and also becomes a collecting place for residue, contacts can definitely contribute to dry eyes.
Usually, it’s a temporary thing. As long as you’re wearing the contact lenses, your eyes feel dry, but when you take them out, they feel better.
If you already have a mild dry eye issue, though, wearing lenses can make the issue worse by disrupting tear distribution across the cornea.
Whether your dryness is temporary or due to an underlying dry eye problem, the following tips can make your contact lens wearing more comfortable.
Practical Tips for Wearing Contact Lenses with Dry Eyes
When you’re managing dry eyes as a contact lens wearer, there are six factors that will make a difference to how comfortable your eyes will feel. Let’s go through each one.
Factor 1: Lens Material
What your contact lens is made of will make a big difference to how well your eyes handle it. The cornea of your eye needs a constant flow of oxygen, and when you’re wearing contact lenses on top of that cornea, you want to make sure the oxygen can still get through. So a big factor in lens materials is how well it allows the oxygen to reach the cornea.
Traditional lenses are made of hydrogel, which is a water-absorbing material. Since water contains oxygen, the lenses rely on the water it absorbs to permeate the cornea. But then there’s silicone hydrogel lenses, which are made by adding silicone to the traditional hydrogels. Silicone doesn’t rely only on water for oxygen, it creates microscopic channels in the lens that allows oxygen to flow through. That allows up to 5 times more oxygen to reach the cornea, making them generally considered the safer choice for people with dry eyes.
Sometimes an eye doctor will recommend a specific other kind of lens for your needs, but for a standard soft contact lens wearer with dry eyes, silicone hydrogels give you the most comfort.
Factor 2: Replacement Schedule
How often you replace your contact lenses is going to play a huge role in eye comfort, especially if you deal with dryness. That’s because proteins, lipids, and microscopic debris from your tears build up on the surface of your lens, making the lens surface rougher. The buildup makes it harder for the lens to attract moisture, so that your eyes end up feeling drier.
There are 2 basic options for when to replace your contact lenses.
- Option 1 is daily lenses. Daily lenses are thrown out every night, which means you get a fresh clear lens surface every morning. Without any buildup from the day before, daily lenses are considered the best option for dry eye sufferers.
- Monthly lenses are the second option. Because these lenses are re-worn for up to a month, microscopic surface residue builds up even with a very careful cleaning schedule. Even with meticulous cleaning every night and storage in lens solution, buildup will happen. Toward the end of the lens’s lifespan, it will feel drier. You might want to dispose of your monthly lenses a bit before the month is up to keep your eyes from feeling dry.
Factor 3: Lubrication Drops
Keeping your lenses lubricated can make a big difference to how comfortable your eyes feel. When you buy lubrication drops, make sure to look for preservative-free solution, as preservatives can irritate your cornea.
For maximum comfort, put a drop or two of lubrication on the inner curve of your lens. That will create a moisture cushion between your lens and your eye, keeping your eyes wetter as you start your day.
Factor 4: Blinking
Blinking is actually what keeps your eye wet enough to be comfortable, by spreading a fresh layer of film over your eyes. Without frequent blinking, the front of your eye can dry out, especially if you’re wearing contact lenses.
When you stare at a screen, though, your blinking goes down by as much as 50%. That’s why it’s important to consciously blink while looking at a computer or phone. Make sure the blinks are intentional and full, closing your eyes completely to fully re-wet the front of your eye.
Factor 5: Environment
The environment around you affects how dry your eyes will get. Both air conditioning and heating will pull moisture out of your eyes, making your contact lens wearing less comfortable. You can get a desktop humidifier for your work station, which will keep the air around you moisturized, and in turn, your eyes.
There’s also your internal environment to think about. Keeping your entire body hydrated means there’s lots of water left for your eyes. So drinking enough water actually helps you lubricate your eyes.
Factor 6: Taking Breaks
Even if you’ve got the best silicone hydrogel lenses, wearing lenses for too long puts stress on your tear film. It’s a good idea to keep your lens wearing for only 8 to 10 hours a day, taking out your lenses once you’re home. That gives your eyes more of a chance to rest and naturally re-hydrate.
Keeping in mind these six factors can make a noticeable difference in how your lens wearing experience feels, even with dry eyes. Even a little shift can make a big difference. If you’re still seeing persistent dryness after addressing all six factors, though, that might mean it’s time to see an eye care professional for further advice.
