Key Takeaways
- Dry eye happens when your tear film cannot keep the surface of your eye moist enough.
- Daily disposable, low water content, and scleral lenses can feel more comfortable for dry eyes.
- Contact-safe drops, clean lens habits, and simple daily routines help your eyes stay comfortable.
- Persistent dryness calls for a contact lens exam and dry eye therapy options.
You slip in your contacts, and within a few hours your eyes feel like sandpaper. By the afternoon, you’re squinting at your screen and reaching for the bottle of drops in your bag.
Yes, you can wear contact lenses with dry eyes, as long as you choose the right type of lens and care for your eyes. Our team at Triad Eye Associates is available across 4 locations and can help you find a fit that keeps you comfortable from morning to night.
What Contributes to Dry Eye for Contact Lens Wearers?
Your eyes rely on a thin layer of moisture called the tear film. This layer keeps the surface smooth and clear. When it doesn’t spread evenly, your eyes start to feel dry and irritated.
Contacts can add to the problem in a few ways. Your cornea, the clear front part of your eye, needs oxygen to stay healthy, and some lenses reduce how much reaches it. Soft lenses can also pull in your natural tear moisture, leaving less to coat your eye.
Common Signs Your Contacts Are Drying Out Your Eyes
Your eyes often tell you when something is off. Watch for these signs while you wear your contacts:
- A gritty or scratchy feeling, like sand is stuck under your lens
- Redness or blurry vision that comes and goes
- Watery eyes or the sense that something is caught in your eye
Types of Contact Lenses for Dry Eye
The right lens can make a real difference. Here are a few options the team may suggest.
Daily Disposable Lenses
You start each day with a fresh pair, then toss them at night. That means less protein buildup, which can otherwise leave your eyes feeling dry and cloudy by afternoon.
Low Water Content Lenses
It sounds backward, but lenses with less water often hold moisture better. High-water lenses can dry out faster because they draw moisture from your eyes to stay hydrated.
Scleral and Gas Permeable Options
Scleral lenses are larger and vault over your cornea, trapping a small pool of moisture against your eye. Many people also notice sharper vision with these gas permeable lenses compared to soft ones.
How to Keep Your Eyes Comfortable with Contacts
Small changes throughout your day can keep your eyes feeling fresh. Try these habits.
Use Contact-Safe Drops
A few drops can add moisture when your eyes feel tired or dry. Not every drop works with contacts, though, so check the label or ask our team which one is compatible with your lenses.
Practice Good Lens Hygiene
Clean habits help protect your eyes and your comfort. A few simple steps go a long way:
- Wash and dry your hands before you touch your lenses
- Replace your lens case every 3 months
- Avoid wearing your lenses longer than the schedule you were given
Simple Daily Habits That Help
Your environment plays a part too. A humidifier adds moisture to dry indoor air, and drinking water through the day supports your tear film.
When you’re on a screen, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Sunglasses also shield your eyes from wind and dust that can dry them out fast.
When to See Your Eye Doctor
Home care helps, but it can only go so far. If your eyes still feel dry after you’ve tried drops and better habits, it’s time to book a visit.
An eye doctor in Greensboro, Archdale, King, and High Point can give you a contact lens exam and fitting to match the right lens to your eyes. You can also explore dry eye therapy options that target the source of the dryness, not just the symptoms.
Our team at Triad Eye Associates takes the time to understand your eyes and your daily routine. Book your appointment at any of our 4 locations and find contacts that feel comfortable all day.
