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The Best Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes

Do your eyes feel red, itchy, or uncomfortable when wearing contact lenses? Your symptoms could be related to dry eye disease, a common problem that may make it difficult to wear contact lenses as long as you would like or find comfortable lenses. Changing the type or brand of contact lenses you wear could improve your lens-wearing experience.

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How Dry Eye Causes Problems for Contact Lens Wearers

Dry eye is an issue for many contact lens wearers. Ten to fifty percent of contact lens wearers stop wearing their lenses within three years due to discomfort, according to a 2017 article published in Clinical Optometry. Dry eye was the most common reason people stopped wearing contact lenses.

Contact lens wearers are at increased risk for dry eye due to:

  • Lower Oxygen Transmission. Contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the clear cornea underneath the lenses. The amount of oxygen reduction varies depending on lens material and type.
  • Lens Materials. Some materials lose moisture faster than others, which increases the risk for dry eye.
  • Fit Problems. Poorly fitting contact lenses irritate your eyes and might make dry eye feel worse.
  • Protein Buildup. Protein buildup on contact lenses can worsen dry eye. Since daily lenses are thrown out every day, they’re less likely to cause a problem than monthly lenses.

Contact Lens Options for Dry Eye

There’s no need to suffer in silence or assume that contact lenses just won’t work for you if have dry eye. Your optometrist can recommend several options that could improve eye comfort and reduce dry eye symptoms. You may need to try a few types or brands of contact lenses to find the right kind for you.

Contact lens choices for dry eye include these options:

  • Bausch + Lomb Ultra. These monthly lenses uses MoistureSeal technology to maintain 95% moisture for 16 hours a day, according to the Bausch + Lomb website.
  • CooperVision Proclear sphere. Monthly CooperVision Proclear sphere are made with a special technological process that binds water to the lens while reducing protein buildup.
  • Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1. Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1 are daily lenses made with Alcon’s Water Gradient Technology. The technology holds in moisture, creating a cushion that contains almost 100% water at the surface of the lens, according to Alcon. DAILIES TOTAL1 lenses also release an ingredient that keeps the outer lipid layer of the tear film stable. In addition to maintaining tear film stability, the lipid layer keeps tears from evaporating too quickly.
  • ACUVUE OASYS 1-DAY. Another daily contact lens option, ACUVUE OASYS 1-DAY with HydraLuxe Technology reduces tear evaporation and keeps eyes moister.
  • Scleral Contact Lenses. Scleral contact lenses may be a good option if your symptoms don’t improve after wearing other types of lenses. Unlike soft daily or monthly lenses, scleral lenses cover the cornea and the sclera (white part of the eye). Scleral contact lenses are made of rigid, gas-permeable polymers and offer a custom fit. The lenses seal off the cornea, decreasing tear evaporation and preventing dust and dirt from irritating your eyes.

How to Improve Comfort While Wearing Contact Lenses

Wondering what you can do to improve contact lens comfort if you suffer from dry eye? Try these tips:

  • Reduce Wear Time. The contact lens manufacturer may claim that you can comfortably wear the lens all day, but that may not be true if you have dry eye. You may find that your eyes feel better if you remove your contact lenses after work or only wear them for eight hours a day.
  • Carry Rewetting Drops. Rewetting drops moisturize your eyes while you wear your contacts and are a must-have if your eyes are often dry or irritated.
  • Switch Your Solution. Trying a new type of solution could ease your symptoms. Switching to a preservative-free hydrogen peroxide-based solution can be a good option if preservatives in lens solutions irritate your eyes, according to a 2023 article published in Review of Optometry.

Are you having trouble finding comfortable contact lenses that don’t dry out your eyes? We’ll help you explore the options and recommend the best type of contact lenses for your eyes. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.

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