Do your contact lenses cause dry eyes?
One of the most common complaints experienced by ophthalmologists from patients is dry eye contact lenses. While dry eye syndrome (DES) is very common among contact lens wearers and those who don't wear contact lenses, the symptoms can be more severe and uncomfortable when wearing contact lenses. Symptoms of DES are usually irritated, red, and itchy eyes.
What contact lenses cause dry eyes?
The cornea, the front part of the eye, is the only area of the body that receives oxygen directly from the air. One of the reasons contact lens wearers are prone to dry eyes is because your corneal contact lenses can partially block oxygen from entering your eyes. Although many contact lenses are designed to allow large amounts of oxygen to enter the eye, the wearer can still experience dry, gritty eyes, especially at the end of the day.
Another cause of dry eye from contact lenses is swallowing lens tears. Lenses need fluids to stay soft and maintain their shape and integrity.
This is known as dry eye caused by contact lenses.
In a healthy eye, tears allow the contact lens to float comfortably in the tear film above the cornea. Lack of tear fluid can cause tears in the tear film, causing contact lenses to irritate the surface of the eye. This in turn causes pain, redness, and itching.
This effect can be exacerbated if the lens is of poor quality or does not adhere well to the eye. Such contact absorbs too much fluid from the tear film, which causes the eye to lose vital moisture. It can also occur when traditional soft lenses are worn for long periods of time.
Avoid dry eyes when wearing contact lenses
To prevent dryness or inflammation of the eyes, we recommend the following tips:
• Ask your ophthalmologist to put your contact lenses on because your ophthalmologist can determine the strength and curvature of the contact lenses you need and recommend the most suitable lenses for your eyes.
• Check your eyes regularly for visual acuity and general eye health.
• Buy good quality lenses and make sure they have good oxygen permeability. Hyaluronic lenses, especially silicone hydrogel lenses, are great for people prone to dry eyes. Hard lenses are also highly recommended, as they remove very little fluid from the tear film.
• Do not wear contact lenses for a long time until you find a better solution. If you suffer from dry eyes, it is best to wear it only for a few hours and on special occasions like picnics or sports. Avoid wearing contact lenses while watching TV or working at the computer because it strains your eyes.
• Remove your lenses daily, every two weeks, or monthly depending on your ophthalmologist's recommendation. Your contact lens case should also be replaced every few weeks to prevent germs from building up.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses if you have a cold or flu, as there is an increased risk of spreading germs into your eyes. Remove contact lenses if you have an eye infection such as conjunctivitis (or conjunctivitis) as this is an excellent place for germs to accumulate.
Overcome dry eyes with eye drops, Use eye drops that are safe to be applied with contact lenses to relieve discomfort and refresh the eyes.
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