How to Prevent Dry Eyes When Wearing Contact Lenses?

Eye dryness is a condition that most contact lens users face, but it does not have to be so. If, like many others, you have experienced discomfort, irritation or even pain in your lenses, then you are not alone. This condition can cause discomfort, and it is a serious condition that can cause more severe problems if not treated. Thankfully, there are some ways to avoid and effectively deal with dry eyes while wearing contact lenses.

In this article, we will look at several practical tips and valuable advice to make your eyes feel more comfortable and moist in different situations. Here are some tips for soft lens wearers, rigid gas permeable lenses and hybrid lens wearers that are meant to give comfort. So, let’s learn how to avoid dry eyes when using contact lenses.

What Causes Dry Eyes When Wearing Contact Lenses?

However, one should know why dry eyes appear first to understand the issues better. The moisture level of the eyes or the wearing eye can be interfered with through contact lenses. They sit on the eyes' surface, covering the tear surface and leaving it dry and exposed. This leads to soreness, which is associated with dry eye.

The following are some of the causes of dry eyes while wearing contact lenses:

• Dehydration of the Lenses: The contact lenses provide oxygen from the tear fluid that your eyes produce. If the natural lubrication of and in your eyes is not made enough, the lenses may dry and irritate.
• Extended Wear: Long periods of using contact lenses without resting can cause dryness.
• Environmental Factors: Low humidity, smoke, and air conditioning also cause the eyes to become dry.
• Type of Lenses: Some lenses are less permeable than others, causing dryness.
• Pre-existing Issues: Other problems, such as blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, may also render the eyes more vulnerable to dryness while in contact lenses.

How to Prevent Dry Eyes While Wearing Contact Lenses?

As we understand the causes, let us also address how to avoid and deal with dry eyes while wearing contacts. Here is some easy and helpful advice on how to avoid getting dry and irritated eyes.

1. Choose the Right Contact Lenses

Choosing the right contact lenses is the first measure to reduce the chances of dry eyes. All contact lenses, however, are not the same. Therefore, some contact lenses are more compatible with dry eyes than others. Below are some possible solutions:

• Hydraglyde Lenses: These lenses are made in such a way that they can retain moisture and thus give that fresh feeling to the eyes all day.
• Silicone Hydrogel Lenses: These lenses are less likely to dry your eyes since they allow more oxygen to get into them.
• Daily Disposable Lenses: Due to dryness problems, daily disposables best suit your eyes. They provide a new lens every day, and since corneas cannot produce mucus, there is no deposition of proteins, which causes dryness.

2. Stay Hydrated

The prevention of dry eyes is one of the uncomplicated things that can be done, and this is done through enough water intake. Consuming more water is also a way of ensuring that your eyes produce tears that help maintain the lenses and keep them comfortable. This may make your eyes dry since your body will produce fewer tears as it is dehydrated.

• Drink Enough Water: At least eight glasses of water in a day.
• Do not Take Beverages That Contain Caffeine and Alcohol: Taking products that contain caffeine and alcohol is not suitable for a person with dry eyes as these products have a dehydrating effect.

3. Use Lubricating Eye Drops

Eye drops are also referred to as artificial tears, and they can be quite helpful, especially for people with dry eyes. They assist in replenishing the lack of moisture in your eyes and reduce the times you are likely to experience dryness.

To avoid adverse effects on the eyes, ensure that the eye drops are suitable for use by contact lens users. Some of the solutions contain preservatives that may cause reactions such as stinging to the lenses, and therefore, it is advised that preservative-free sort be used. It’s essential to use eye drops before applying lenses and other times necessary in the day.

Tips for using eye drops:

• Use 5-10 minutes before the process of installation of lenses.

• You may need to use them when you experience dryness or irritated skin.
  

4. Follow the Proper Lens Care Routine

Some of the most effective tips for avoiding dry eye include having a proper lens care routine. These lenses can cause discomfort relating to dryness and, if not handled correctly, can develop infections. These are ways that you can care for your lenses to avoid dryness:

• Daily Lens Care: Do not forget to clean and disinfect your lenses daily with the appropriate solution. Do not use tap water in any way to clean your lenses.
• Clean Your Contact Lenses Properly: Daily, biweekly, or monthly lenses must be replaced to minimise the inconveniences like dry eyes.
• Avoid Sleeping in Lenses: Most contact lenses should not be worn to sleep due to poor oxygen permeability. They make your eyes dry at night.

5. Take Regular Breaks

If you use contact lenses for a long duration of time, then you need to take some breaks between the days. This gives your eyes a break and the natural tear layer on your eyes to be replenished. Here are the ways through which your eyes can be given the much-needed break:

• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.
• Blink Often: Blinking assists in spreading tears over the eyes so they don’t dry up.

The Bottom Line

Watery eyes may seem like a minor inconvenience for some and aggravation for others, but they do not have to pose serious problems with contact lenses. Choosing the appropriate lenses, drinking adequate water, using the lubricating drops, and practising proper lens care will help retain moisture and avoid the problem.

However, it is essential to seek professional help if you continue to struggle. Robin Hall Opticians is the best at providing professional eye care services and directing you to appropriate solutions for dry eyes. They are friendly and experienced and can advise you on specific practices for better eye health when wearing the lenses for extended hours.

Take care of your eyes, and if you feel discomfort and don’t know what to do – visit Robin Hall Opticians.