The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the U.S. has approximately 45 million contact lens wearers. While they are often unnoticeable, wearing them can worsen preexisting eye issues. They may even cause new vision problems.

Dry eye is a prevalent eye condition that affects both contact lens non-wearers and wearers. However, dry eye symptoms can sometimes become more severe if you wear contacts. You can still wear contact lenses comfortably if you have dry eye. Here are a few tips.

Wearing the Right Contact Lenses

There are a wide variety of contact lenses available in the market today. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. Even if you have dry eye, you still have a few options to choose from. Opting for contacts that are comfortable for your individual needs is imperative. Here are a few of them:

• Daily Disposable Lenses - These contacts are ideal for people with dry eyes as they eliminate the need for constant disinfecting and cleaning.
• Silicone Hydrogel Contacts - These contacts let more oxygen reach your eyes than other contact lenses (up to five times). As a result, you can wear them longer while alleviating dry eye symptoms.
• Scleral Lenses - They cover the entire cornea. This makes it perfect for people with dry eyes as it ensures their eyes’ front surfaces do not become dry.
• Low Water Content Contacts - They attract liquid to the tear film and allow more oxygen flow into the eye. This helps reduce dry eye symptoms.
• Ortho-k - These lenses are gas-permeable and reshape your cornea while you rest at night. Since you do not have to use contact during the day after wearing them, it reduces dry eye symptoms related to contacts.

Wearing Contacts for Shorter Periods

Try wearing your contact lenses for shorter periods if your eyes feel uncomfortable after wearing them for a more extended period. This reduces the discomfort you experience wearing them if you have dry eye.

Avoid Fans and Air Conditioning

Fans and air conditioning can dry your eyes, making them even more uncomfortable while wearing contacts. For this reason, avoid spending unnecessarily long periods in rooms with these appliances. Alternatively, you could use humidifiers to add moisture to the air. It would help if you avoided other environments that worsen your dry eye symptoms, such as high altitudes.

Change the Cleaning Solution

Sometimes, the problem might not be your contact lenses or the environment but the solution you use to clean them. Your eyes can become irritated and dry after cleaning your contact lenses with a solution that contains certain preservatives. Moreover, some solutions comprise compounds incompatible with specific contacts, leading to a reaction. Ask your eye doctor which cleaning solution is compatible with your contact lenses to avoid worsening your dry eye symptoms.

If you are still experiencing discomfort after trying different solutions and contact lenses, you may need to stop wearing them temporarily. You can rehydrate your eyes with artificial tears to let them recover. Before trying the contacts again, seek medical advice from your doctor.

For more on dry eye and contact lenses, visit Vision Concept at our Houston, Texas, office. Call (281) 688-6400 to schedule an appointment today.