Contact Lenses and Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common complaint among people who wear contact lenses. So the question arises: What can be done?

For some more details on the nature of these lenses, and how they relate to dry eye:

• Lens water content: contact lenses are partially made of water, but the amount of water can vary. High water content lenses are thicker, while low water content lenses are thinner. Counterintuitively, lenses with lower water content are in fact better for dry eyes, since they won’t draw water away from the eye. People suffering from dry eye should wear contacts with 40% or less water.
• Deposit buildup prevention: A major issue when it comes to contact lenses and dry eye is environmental buildup on the lenses. This can be from things like pollen, bacteria, or protein and lipids from your tears. Daily lenses are the best way to avoid this issue, as there isn’t time for debris to build up on them.
• Surface treatment to reduce friction: Different contact lenses can have different surface treatments, some of which produce less friction on the eye than others. Dry eye patients, who tend to have more sensitive eyes, should wear lenses with as little friction as possible for increased comfort.
• Lens breathability: Contact lens breathability varies depending on the design and material used. Dry eye patients, for whom comfort is extra important, do better with more breathable lenses.

Scleral Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes

Scleral contact lenses are another option for people suffering from dry eye. Scleral lenses are larger than standard contacts, and rest on the sclera of the eye as opposed to directly on the cornea, and they move around less than standard contact lenses. This helps keep the front of the eye from drying out, and avoids irritating sensitive eyes. Additionally, scleral lenses can be custom made to fit over irregularly shaped corneas to provide better vision assistance.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology, or othro-k) lenses are specially designed to be worn only while you sleep. While asleep, they reshape the front of the eyes, correcting refractive errors so you can see during the day without the need to wear contacts or glasses. Since, with ortho-k lenses, you are only wearing them at home, at night, there is less likelihood of them causing dry eye symptoms.

Contact Lens Solution Options

In some cases, people experience dry eye symptoms not due to their contact lenses themselves, but due to the care products, such as contact lens solution. Especially if you’ve recently changed contact lens solution, talk to the doctor about the possibility that it is the cause of your symptoms, and bring it with you to your visit. A solution as simple as switching what brand of solution you use may resolve your problem.

Sometimes, people develop sensitivity to the preservatives in contact lens solution, and can experience dry eye symptoms because of that. In those cases, the doctor may recommend switching to a preservative free solution, or to use daily disposable contact lenses which do not need to be stored in solution overnight.

Eye Drops

Eye crops, also known as comfort drops, rewetting drops, or artificial tears, can be suggested as a way to treat contact lens-related dry eye. While their effect is temporary, their moisturizing effect on the eyes can alleviate symptoms, and some brands can provide longer-term relief.

If you wish to try this route, it is very important to schedule a consultation to discuss it, so the doctor can provide advice on which eye drops can be used while wearing contacts, and which brand is likely to yield the best results.