A Guide on Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes: Causes and Prevention

Key Takeaways

• Contact lens materials matter – Silicone hydrogel and high water content lenses like those from Bella lenses collections can significantly reduce dry eye symptoms

• Proper lens hygiene is essential for preventing dry eyes – using the right solutions and following correct cleaning protocols makes a major difference

• Wearing schedule adjustments can dramatically improve comfort – including taking breaks and not exceeding recommended daily wear times

• Environmental factors like air conditioning, digital screens, and low humidity can worsen dry eye symptoms in contact lens wearers

• Daily disposable lenses often provide the most comfort for dry eye sufferers by eliminating protein buildup and solution sensitivities

• Regular eye check-ups are crucial for identifying and addressing dry eye issues before they become severe

Do your eyes feel gritty, itchy, or irritated when wearing contact lenses? You're not alone. Dry eye syndrome affects millions of contact lens wearers worldwide, with studies suggesting that up to 50% of contact lens users experience symptoms of dryness. The good news? With the right knowledge, lenses, and care routine, you can continue enjoying the freedom of contacts while keeping your eyes comfortable and hydrated.

This comprehensive guide explores the causes of contact lens-related dry eyes and offers practical solutions to prevent and manage this common condition, including how premium brands like Bella lenses can help alleviate symptoms.

Dry eye syndrome affects up to 50% of contact lens wearers, making it the most common reason people discontinue lens wear. The good news? With the right lenses, care routine, and prevention strategies, you can continue enjoying the freedom of contacts while keeping your eyes comfortable and hydrated.

What Causes Dry Eyes in Contact Lens Wearers?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Several factors contribute to contact lens-related dry eyes:

Tear Film Disruption: Contact lenses physically divide your natural tear film layers, causing tears to evaporate 2-3 times faster than normal.

Oxygen Restriction: Traditional contact lenses can limit oxygen transmission to the cornea, affecting tear production and eye comfort.

Additional Contributing Factors:

• Contact lenses absorb moisture from your tears
• Preservatives in cleaning solutions can cause inflammation
• Protein and lipid deposits build up on lenses over time
• Reduced blinking when using digital devices (up to 60% less)

How Do Dry Eyes Affect Contact Lens Comfort?

Dry eyes can significantly impact your contact lens wearing experience in several ways:

• Reduced Wearing Time: You may find it difficult to wear your lenses for as long as you'd like, having to remove them earlier than planned due to discomfort.

• Blurry Vision: Dry eyes can affect the stability of the tear film over your contact lenses, causing fluctuations in vision clarity.

• Increased Irritation: Symptoms like redness, burning, stinging, and a gritty sensation can make contact lens wear uncomfortable or even painful.

• Heightened Sensitivity: Your eyes may become more sensitive to environmental factors like wind, air conditioning, or screen time.

• Contact Lens Adherence Issues: In severe cases, dry eyes can cause contacts to adhere to the eye surface, making removal difficult and potentially causing corneal abrasions.

Preventing Dry Eyes with Contact Lenses

Choosing the Right Contact Lenses

The type of contact lenses you wear can have a significant impact on dry eye symptoms. Consider these options for better comfort:

Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

These advanced lenses allow more oxygen to reach your cornea compared to traditional hydrogel lenses. The increased oxygen permeability helps maintain eye health and reduce dryness. Bella lenses offers silicone hydrogel options that prioritize both comfort and eye health.

Daily Disposable Lenses

Daily disposables eliminate the need for cleaning solutions (which can sometimes irritate sensitive eyes) and prevent protein buildup on lenses. Each day, you start with a fresh, clean pair, which can significantly reduce dry eye symptoms.

Bella lenses' daily disposable options feature high water content (55%) and are made from materials designed to maintain hydration throughout the day, making them an excellent choice for dry eye sufferers.

Specialty Lenses for Dry Eyes

For severe dry eye cases, your eye care professional might recommend specialty lenses:

• Scleral Lenses: These larger rigid gas permeable lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye (sclera). The space between the lens and cornea acts as a reservoir for tears, providing constant moisture.

• Low Water Content Lenses: Contrary to what you might expect, lenses with lower water content sometimes perform better for dry eyes because they draw less moisture from your eyes to stay hydrated.

Proper Contact Lens Care and Hygiene

Maintaining proper lens hygiene is crucial for preventing dry eyes:

1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly Always wash and completely dry your hands before handling contact lenses to avoid transferring oils, soaps, or bacteria to your lenses or eyes.

2. Use the Right Solutions

• Choose preservative-free solutions if you have sensitive eyes

• Never use tap water, homemade saline, or saliva to clean lenses

• Consider hydrogen peroxide-based systems, which can be gentler on sensitive eyes once properly neutralized

• Ensure your solution is compatible with your specific lens type

3. Clean Properly

• Rub lenses gently with solution, even if using "no-rub" formulas

• Rinse thoroughly with fresh solution

• Clean your lens case daily and replace it every three months

4. Follow Replacement Schedules Replace your lenses according to the manufacturer's recommendations:

• Daily disposables: Discard after a single day of wear

• Bi-weekly lenses: Replace every two weeks

• Monthly lenses: Replace every 30 days

Adjusting Your Wearing Schedule

Modifying how you wear your contacts can significantly improve comfort:

1. Limit Wearing Time Start with shorter wearing periods (4-6 hours) and gradually increase as your eyes adjust. Most eye care professionals recommend not exceeding 10-12 hours of daily wear.

2. Take Regular Breaks Consider removing your lenses for short periods during the day, especially if you experience dryness.

3. Alternate with Glasses Give your eyes a break by wearing glasses occasionally, particularly on days when your eyes feel more sensitive or when you're in drier environments.

4. Avoid Sleeping in Contacts Unless specifically prescribed for extended wear, remove your contacts before sleeping to allow your eyes to recover and receive maximum oxygen.

Environmental Factors and Lifestyle Adjustments

The environment around you can significantly impact dry eye symptoms:

1. Manage Digital Eye Strain Follow the 20-20-20 rule when using digital devices: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break and encourage blinking.

2. Optimize Indoor Environments

• Use a humidifier in dry spaces

• Avoid direct airflow from fans, heaters, or air conditioners

• Consider using an air purifier to reduce irritants

3. Stay Hydrated Drinking adequate water throughout the day helps maintain overall hydration, including tear production.

4. Consider Your Diet Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts) and other nutrients that support eye health.

5. Protect Your Eyes Outdoors Wear wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from wind, dust, and UV rays, all of which can exacerbate dryness.

Bella Lenses: Premium Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes

For those battling dry eyes, choosing the right contact lens brand is crucial. Bella lenses offers several features specifically designed to address dry eye concerns:

Moisture-Retaining Technology

Bella lenses are designed with advanced moisture-retaining technology that helps keep your eyes comfortable throughout the day. Their lenses feature:

• High Water Content: With up to 55% water content in their daily disposable options, Bella lenses maintain hydration for extended periods.

• Breathable Materials: Bella lenses use highly breathable materials that allow optimal oxygen flow to the cornea, reducing dryness and improving overall eye health.

Daily Disposable Options

Bella's daily disposable lenses eliminate the need for cleaning solutions that might irritate sensitive eyes and prevent protein buildup that can worsen dry eye symptoms. Each day starts with a fresh, clean pair of lenses for maximum comfort.

UV Protection

Exposure to UV rays can exacerbate dry eye symptoms. Bella lenses incorporate UV protection to shield your eyes from harmful rays while providing comfortable vision.

Comfortable Fit

Bella lenses are manufactured with precision to ensure a perfect fit, reducing friction that can contribute to dry eye discomfort. The soft, flexible materials adapt to your eye shape for all-day comfort.

You can explore Bella's full range of contact lenses, including options specifically designed for dry-sensitive eyes, on their website.

Treatment Options

When preventive measures aren't sufficient, consider:

Lubricating Products

• Preservative-Free Artificial Tears: For mild to moderate dryness (check label for "safe with contacts")
• Contact Lens Rewetting Drops: For immediate relief while wearing lenses
• Lipid-Based Artificial Tears: For evaporative dry eye (use only when lenses are removed)

Medical Interventions

• Prescription Eye Medications: Cyclosporine (Restasis) or Lifitegrast (Xiidra) to reduce inflammation
• Punctal Plugs: Temporary or semi-permanent plugs to retain tears
• Meibomian Gland Expression: In-office procedure to improve oil gland function
  

Recommended Types of Lenses For Dry Eyes

Several manufacturers offer lenses specifically designed to address dry eye concerns:

• Silicone Hydrogel Daily Disposables: Brands like Acuvue Oasys 1-Day, Dailies Total1, and Bella Daily lenses
• Low Water Content Options: Proclear and Extreme H2O lenses
• Specialty Lenses: Scleral lenses from manufacturers like BostonSight and Bausch + Lomb

When selecting lenses, prioritize:

1. Oxygen permeability (higher Dk/t values)
2. Wetting agents or moisture technology
3. Replacement schedule (daily generally preferred)
4. Material compatibility with your specific type of dry eye

When to See an Eye Doctor

Consult an eye care professional immediately if you experience:

• Persistent pain or discomfort despite removing lenses
• Redness that doesn't improve within an hour of lens removal
• Decreased vision that doesn't clear up when blinking
• Light sensitivity or increased tearing
• Yellow or green discharge
• Symptoms that worsen over time

Regular annual eye exams are essential for all contact lens wearers, regardless of symptoms.

FAQ: Common Questions About Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes

Can I wear contact lenses if I have chronic dry eyes?

Yes, many people with chronic dry eyes can successfully wear contact lenses with the right approach. Specialty lenses, proper eye care, and working closely with your eye doctor can make contact lens wear comfortable even with dry eye conditions.

Are daily disposable lenses better for dry eyes?

In many cases, yes. Daily disposables eliminate the need for cleaning solutions (which can sometimes irritate eyes) and prevent protein buildup on lenses. Each day, you start with a fresh, clean pair, which can significantly reduce dry eye symptoms.

How can I tell if my contacts are causing my dry eyes?

If you experience symptoms like dryness, irritation, or redness that improve when you remove your contacts, your lenses may be contributing to the problem. Additionally, if symptoms worsen throughout the day while wearing contacts, this suggests a lens-related issue.

Can I use eye drops with my contacts in?

Yes, but you must use drops specifically formulated to be safe with contact lenses. Regular artificial tears may contain preservatives or oils that can damage contacts or trap bacteria between the lens and your eye.

How often should I replace my contact lens case?

Replace your contact lens case at least every three months to prevent bacterial buildup. Clean the case daily by rinsing with fresh solution (never tap water), emptying excess liquid, and allowing it to air dry upside down on a clean tissue.

Will drinking more water help with contact lens dry eye?

Staying well-hydrated supports overall eye health and tear production, so increasing water intake may help with mild dry eye symptoms. However, severe dry eye typically requires additional interventions beyond hydration.

Can my contact lens solution cause dry eyes?

Yes, some people are sensitive to preservatives in contact lens solutions, which can cause irritation and dryness. If you suspect your solution is causing problems, consider trying a preservative-free option or switching to daily disposable lenses.

Conclusion

Contact lens-related dry eye doesn't have to mean giving up the convenience and benefits of contacts. By understanding the causes, selecting appropriate lenses, maintaining proper hygiene, and making simple lifestyle adjustments, most people can overcome dry eye challenges.

Remember that finding the right solution may require trial and error in partnership with your eye care professional. With the right approach, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision with contact lenses, even if you're prone to dry eyes.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with an eye care professional for personalized recommendations regarding contact lens wear and dry eye management.