Can I wear contact lenses when I have dry eyes? Get help now- TheraLife

More than 30 million people in the United States wear contact lenses. People prefer contacts to eyeglasses because they’re more convenient, and they correct your vision without changing your appearance. Usually, you can barely feel that you’re wearing them.

But if you develop a condition called dry eye syndrome, contact lenses can become uncomfortable. This occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears to keep your eyes lubricated and comfortable.

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What is dry eye syndrome?

About 60 million Americans experience dry eye syndrome. Causes can include:

• Damage to the tear glands around the eyes, such as blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). 
• Damage to or disease of the skin around the eyes- e.g., eczema, psoriasis. 
• Diseases, such as Sjogren’s syndrome and other autoimmune conditions
• Medicines, such as antihistamines, certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and birth control pills
• Hormone changes that can occur with menopause
• Dry eye can also be associated with allergies and with aging eyes

Wearing contact lenses for long periods can cause dry eyes by aiding tears to evaporate faster. Half of contact lens wearers develop contact lens-related dry eyes.

Dry eye causes pain, burning, or a gritty feeling. Some people experience blurred vision and become light-sensitive. With dry eye, you may feel incredibly uncomfortable while wearing your contact lenses.

You don’t have to give up wearing contact lenses if you have a dry eye. Treating the cause of dry eye or changing to a different type of lens can help.

Options for treatment of dry eyes

TheraLife can help

1.  TheraLife has an oral dry eye treatment that works when drops don’t. TheraLife Eye capsules restore and revive tear secretion glands so you can relieve your dry eyes with your own tears. To learn more, click here.  
2. Eye drops – Your doctor may recommend lubricating eye drops if your eyes aren’t producing enough tears. If a medication you’re taking is the cause, you may need to switch. 
3. Punctual Plugs – There’s a procedure to plug the drain system in your eyes so that more moisture stays in your eyes. This procedure may be offered in severe cases.

What to do for contact lens dry eyes

If the problem is with your lenses, you may have to try a different kind. Here are a few options.

• Soft Contact Lenses — Soft contacts are made of hydrogel, a material that contains water. While soft lenses are typically disposable, some manufacturers offer extended-wear lenses that can be reused for up to 30 days.
• Silicone-Based Hydrogel Contact Lenses — These are similar to hydrogel lenses but retain moisture far longer than regular hydrogel contacts.
• Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses — This type of contact lens is more rigid but allows oxygen to reach the eye. Orthokeratology lenses are made from a similar material.

Lens materials

Different types of contact lens materials are available. Soft contact lenses are made of a flexible plastic that allows oxygen to pass through to the eye. Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses are made of a harder material, but they also allow oxygen to reach the eye.

Soft lenses are made of hydrogel, which contains water. There are disposable soft lenses that can be worn for a day and then thrown out. Extended wear soft lenses can be reused for up to 30 days.

Changing your contact lenses every day prevents protein deposits, which can make your eyes feel even drier. If you experience problems with dry eyes, you may want to try disposable lenses.

You may also consider switching to a silicone-based hydrogel lens. These types of lenses do not allow water to evaporate as readily as others. They may reduce dry eye better than regular hydrogel contacts.

Proclear is the only brand of disposable lenses that are FDA-approved to help reduce the sensation of dry eye discomfort. It contains phosphorylcholine, which is supposed to attract water and keep your eyes feeling moist.

Lens water content

Soft contact lenses are categorized by how much water they contain.

High-water content lenses are more likely to cause dry eyes than those with low water content. They tend to send more moisture to the eye when you first put them in but can dry out faster. You may need to try lenses with different water contents until you find the one that works for you.

Lens size

Most contact lenses measure about 9 millimeters across. They cover just the iris, the colored part of the eye.

Scleral contact lenses typically measure 15 to 22 millimeters across. They cover part of the white area of the eye, known as the sclera. Scleral lenses are gas-permeable, meaning they let oxygen reach the eye’s surface. Some people report an improvement in symptoms with this type of lens.

A change in solutions

Sometimes the problem is not with your contact lenses but with the solution you’re using to clean them. Some solutions contain preservatives that can irritate your eyes and leave them dry. Others have materials that may not be compatible with specific soft contact lenses and can cause a reaction.

Care for your contact lenses

There are a variety of options to help you relieve dry eyes.

Switching to a different type of contact lens is an excellent place to start. Taking care of your lenses is another crucial step. Keep them clean and change them as recommended. Only wear your lenses for the amount of time your eye doctor prescribes.

Moisten your eyes with rewetting drops before putting in your contact lenses. Use the drops throughout the day, so your eyes stay moist. When you’re in an arid environment, like a heated room during winter, you may need to use drops more often. If your eyes are sensitive, try a preservative-free brand of eye drop.

You may need to temporarily stop wearing your contacts if you’re still having problems after trying different lenses and solutions. Rehydrate your eyes with preservative-free tears for a few days to let your eyes recover. Follow your doctor’s advice before trying the contacts again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear contact lens if I have dry eyes?

Yes, you can wear contact lenses if you have dry eyes.  Keep your eyes moist- take Theralife Eye capsules to help you produce your own tears.  You can also use eye drops to keep your contact lenses wet.

How do you keep dry eyes moist with contacts?

Clean your lenses often to remove protein deposit to reduce irritation.  Take TheraLife Eye capsules to help you make your own tears to relieve dry eyes while wearing contact lenses

Why are daily contacts better for dry eyes?

Conclusion

While the future may see the contact lens industry incorporating lubricin or other measures to reduce friction between the ocular surface and the contact lens, current evidence-based measures need to be implemented to overcome contact lens dry eyes. Importantly, each person needs to be reviewed for the risk factors of contact lens dry eyes, with these being addressed as early as possible in order to minimize the number of people resorting to contact lens discontinuation.

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Want to wear contact lenses when you have dry eyes. Come to TheraLife for help.