Contact lenses and dry eye (2023)

FAQs

Is it OK to wear contact lenses with dry eyes? ›

You may question whether you can still wear contacts with dry eyes. The answer is yes. While standard contact lenses may not work for everyone, a wide selection of contact lenses can work for those suffering from dry eyes. Determining the best type of contact lens for you involves an eye evaluation.

Recommend moist heat compress therapy.

These findings suggest that moist heat compress treatment could be an effective first-line treatment for contact lens wearers who have discomfort. Those who used the moist heat compress increased comfortable wear time of their contact lenses by up to three hours.”

Contacts can sometimes be the cause of both temporary and chronic dry eye. For example, temporary dry eye can occur because you wear your contacts too long. Talk to your doctor if you wear contacts and you have had dry eye for a long time. They may recommend a different type of contact lens, or other changes for you.

To rehydrate your contact lenses, soak them in a contact case filled with fresh solution for at least 24 hours. Ideally, this should revitalize a lens that has been left out and dried up. Carefully reinsert the lens into your eye. If you feel discomfort or irritation, it's time to get rid of it.

Although, not everyone can wear them comfortably. Eye conditions, such as dry eye disease or blepharitis, may make wearing contacts uncomfortable and risky. A severe refractive error, allergies, or contact lens intolerance can also make wearing contact lenses difficult.

If you rehydrate the lens and use it without proper disinfecting, you could risk infection or damage to your eyes.

Currently, there is no permanent cure for dry eye disease. However, a number of options can help maintain moisture in the eyes. These can reduce symptoms and protect vision.

Your eyes need a break and fresh air. As mentioned above, contacts can inhibit the flow of oxygen to the eye. By taking a break, you allow your eyes to breathe. Even if you're not planning to sleep, take your contacts out when you've passed the healthy wearing period.

There is no maximum age limit to when you have to stop wearing contact lenses. You'll find, however, that your prescription requirements may change, as will the quality of your tears, which can lead to dry eyes.

Dry eye symptoms include a dry, gritty or burning sensation in the eyes, redness, watery or teary eyes and mucus that make the eyes feel "glued shut" after sleeping. Many people also report the feeling of something in the eye or eyestrain. Itching and light sensitivity may also occur.

What supplements help dry eyes? ›

Leave contacts in the solution for at least 6 hours to allow the neutralizing process to finish. Never rinse your contact lenses with hydrogen peroxide solutions or put these solutions in your eyes.

Bacteria build-up is a major reason for dry and uncomfortable contact lenses. Make sure to focus on contact cleaning and maintenance. This will maximize their lifespan and prevent them from drying out.

As a general point, it's recommended that you wear your contact lenses for a maximum of 8-10 hours per day. There are lenses available which you can wear for more than 10-12 hours as well. Your eye care practitioner will be able to suggest you better what is best for your eyes.

Contact lenses are one of many options for correcting vision, but are they a good solution for older adults? They can be. With guidance from an eye doctor, many adults over 60 successfully wear contacts. They're a convenient way to correct your vision.

Deposits on the contact lens

Buildup of debris and protein deposits on the surface of the contact lenses is the most common reason for the lenses to seem cloudy or hazy. The easiest way to see if this is the problem, is to take the lenses out and compare the vision in your glasses.

As you age, this lens becomes thicker, harder and less flexible. If you're over 40 and feel like you need to hold menus and newspapers further away to help your eyes focus, you probably have presbyopia.

The disadvantage of daily lenses for anyone with an active lifestyle is that the thinner contacts tend to dry out more quickly.

A new treatment for dry eye disease is providing relief for people with certain forms of the condition. Called intense pulse light therapy or IPL, the treatment can be performed in your doctor's office and has been very effective.

Treatments for Mild Dry Eye:

Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps produce natural tears more effectively.

Does drinking more water help dry eye syndrome? ›

You may not realize that if you have dry eyes, drinking more water and staying hydrated can make a big difference as part of a dry eye treatment plan. Drinking more water helps your eyes maintain a healthy tear volume, which is an essential part of keeping dry eyes and their symptoms at bay.

Unfortunately, regular daily contact lenses aren't suitable for continuous wear. Though good for the daytime, they don't actually allow enough oxygen to pass through when the eyelids are closed which can result in a range of problems, such as blurred vision and infections.

Other long-term effects of contact lenses can include: changes in thickness and shape of the cornea, formation of micro cysts, decreased corneal sensitivity, and even vision loss.

As a result, the main problem with contact lens overwear is that it erodes the corneal epithelium, resulting in a corneal abrasion — an open sore on your cornea. Infection can spread through these abrasions, producing corneal scarring. This can cause your vision to deteriorate and distort.

Lenses are prone to shifting, dryness, and other complications. Eyes are more susceptible to infection with contact lens wear. There is a higher risk of bacterial infections with contact lens users. Infections can be caused by prolonged wear, build-up, bacteria, neglectful care and sleeping with contacts on.

They produce a more “natural” field of vision.

Because they sit on the surface of your eyes and move with them, contact lenses provide seamless vision correction. Their benefits extend to your peripheral vision and they won't have the same types of visual disruptions that glasses do, such as reflections or fogginess.

You may see symptoms from wearing contact lenses too long or being in a dry environment. Chronic dry eye, on the other hand, is often caused by an underlying condition. Conditions involving the eye glands, skin diseases near the eyes, and allergies can all contribute to chronic dry eye.

Vitamin A deficiency, which usually occurs in developing countries, can cause an increase in dry eye. By adding foods rich in Vitamin A, like carrots, pumpkins, apricots, spinach, tomatoes, dairy products and liver, you can prevent the development of this condition.

Over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops, like artificial tears, and prescription eye drops, like Restasis (cyclosporine) and Xiidra (lifitegrast), are effective treatments for dry eye. Home remedies for dry eyes include avoiding wind and smoke, using a humidifier, and doing eyelid scrubs or warm compresses.

Does vitamin D cure dry eyes? ›

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation as an adjuvant to routine dry eye treatment improves ocular surface hemostasis parameters, results in better tear stability and a more improved tear osmolarity in patients with vitamin D deficiency.

While contact solution is used to store and disinfect your contacts, it is still essential to clean them using the rub and rinse method before wearing them.

Store your contact lenses as you normally would in distilled water, says Woodhams Eye. Unlike tap water, distilled water is free from the virus acanthamoeba keratitis. However, there is still a risk that you can get an infection, so make sure that you only use it for short periods.

All types of contact lenses, including extended-wear contacts, should be removed from your eyes before showering to prevent complications. Even though extended-wear contacts can be worn for multiple days at a time, you're still putting your eyes at risk for infection or irritation if the contacts become wet.

Using a single contact lens won't hurt your eyes if that's what your prescription calls for. However, if you're not wearing both contacts because you lost one of them, you may experience vision loss symptoms in the unprotected eye. Blurry, distorted vision and other side effects of uncorrected vision can return.

Like any part of your body, your eyes need rest. Overwearing your daily contacts can limit oxygen nourishment in your eye, causing complications such as corneal swelling. According to experts, contact lenses should be worn for about 14 to 16 hours per day or according to your optometrist's advice.

Blurry lenses are also a common occurrence with dry eyes. To test if dry eyes are the culprit, all you need to do is blink. If your vision improves a little bit, then dry eyes are causing blurriness in your lenses. We recommend using rewetting drops or artificial tears to rehydrate your contact lenses.

Can you wear contacts after they dry out? ›

If you think your contacts have dried out, don't try putting them back in—instead, replace them with a new pair of lenses if possible. If you don't have a fresh pair on hand, let your eyes rest without wearing any lenses until you can get a new pair from your optometrist or doctor.

Most drops that are made for use with contact lenses will have the word “contacts” right on the front of the label. These drops are designed specifically to lubricate the eye and lens surface to make your wearing experience more comfortable. You can use these drops as frequently as you wish.

Glasses are better for astigmatisms

It also may take more time for your eyes to adjust to contacts with astigmatism. With glasses, the lenses are custom made to help with your astigmatism and remain stable on your face without the need for adjustment to see clearly.

Dry eye is probably the single biggest cause of irregular astigmatism.

Solution #6: Use Artificial Tears

“If someone can only wear their contacts for a few hours before the dryness is too much, I tell them to use artificial tears,” he explains. The drops tend to help them wear their lenses for longer periods of time while also minimizing some of the discomfort they might be feeling. Dr.

It's also important to replace multi-purpose solution after every use and once every 72 hours when your lenses aren't being stored in it. If you're struggling with the removal and application process - fear not, we have you covered!

Using tap water, bottled or even distilled water is never the substitute for contact lens solution." Putting contact lenses in water will contaminate the lenses and give rise to eye irritation or even infection! Using the best contact solution preserves the quality and safety of your lenses.

Refresh Plus Preservative Free Artificial Tears

Due to the lack of preservatives they can be used with contact lenses, and we specifically recommend them for people who apply artificial tears regularly (4 to 5 times per day).

Yes, we can confirm that wearing contact lenses every day is safe as long as you take the necessary hygiene and care precautions. The main precautions are to always keep them clean and isolated from contact with microorganisms and to let your eyes take a break from them, unless they are extended wear contact lenses.