Dry eyes are no joke. If you’re one of the many who suffer from this pesky condition, you know firsthand how it can impact your daily life—from forcing you to deal with constant irritation to the struggle of finding comfortable contact lenses.
Thankfully, you’re in luck! You can still enjoy the benefits of contact lenses while soothing away dry eye irritation. Some of the best contact lenses for dry eye in 2024 include:
- Silicone hydrogel lenses
- Daily disposable lenses
- Scleral lenses
- Hybrid lenses
It’s not too good to be true, it’s simply being knowledgeable about your options. Your path to comfortable vision starts here!
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. This can happen if you don’t produce enough tears or if your tears evaporate too quickly. We rarely think about tears when we aren’t wiping them away or missing their company, but they’re the unsung heroes of eye health, keeping everything running smoothly and comfily.
When your tears are off their game, you might notice symptoms like:
- Burning sensations in the eyes
- Scratchy or gritty eyes
- Redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Excessive tearing
- Blurry vision
- Eye fatigue
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Why Traditional Contact Lenses May Worsen Dry Eye
Traditional contact lenses can worsen dry eye symptoms by reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the eye’s surface. Contacts also need plenty of moisture of their own to work properly, and they can steal it from your eyes. If you’re already low on tears, this absorption can turn what should be a painless experience into a daily struggle.
The good news is that advancements in technology have brought about contact lenses designed specifically for dry eye sufferers. These lenses feature materials and designs that help retain moisture and enhance comfort.
Silicone Hydrogel Lenses
With most contact lens wearers using soft lenses, chances are you’re already part of the soft lens club. It’s easy to see why people like them—they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, with wear schedules that fit your lifestyle, and they’re famous for being super comfy, especially if you’re a first-time lens wearer.
While classic hydrogel lenses are popular, they tend to soak up a lot of eye moisture. Enter silicone hydrogel lenses! These lenses are great at letting oxygen flow to your eyes, keeping your vision nice and comfy all day long. Plus, they’ve got a cool way of tackling dry eye symptoms.
Unlike hydrogel lenses that rely on high water content for oxygen and comfort, silicone hydrogel lenses use the power of silicone to perform the same trick. This means they can keep themselves hydrated without leaving your eyes feeling parched.
Daily Disposable Lenses
Even with your best efforts, contact lenses can get dirty during the day. This isn’t your fault; bacteria and proteins love to cozy up to lenses over time. That’s why a nightly cleaning is a must, as too much build-up can leave your eyes high and dry.
Fortunately, you can get all the freshness of freshly cleaned contacts without all the rubbing with daily disposable soft contact lenses! Just wear them and toss them after 24 hours—no cleaning, rinsing, or storing required. These single-day wonders don’t give bacteria a chance to crash the party, which reduces the risk of dry eyes from irritation.
Scleral Lenses
These oversized lenses, often up to twice the diameter of regular contacts, offer a unique fit that sets them apart. They cover the sclera—the white part of the eye—rather than resting on the sensitive cornea. Ideal for those with dry eyes, these lenses can create a protective moisture shield over the cornea, providing lasting relief from dryness.
Once you fill the space between the lens and cornea with a sterile saline solution, you transform it into an all-day moisture oasis. This saline reservoir not only helps keep your eyes hydrated, but also creates a smooth optical surface, offering enhanced vision quality. These lenses are custom-fitted, making them an excellent choice for severe dry eye cases.
Hybrid Lenses
Hybrid contact lenses are like the best of both worlds mashed into 1 lens! They feature a rigid gas permeable (RGP) center for crisp, clear vision, surrounded by a soft outer lens skirt for that comfy feel.
The RGP center lets your eyes breathe easier, keeping irritation at bay, while the soft edge adds an extra layer of cushy comfort. If you’re dealing with mild dry eye, these lenses could be your new best friend!
Tips for Managing Dry Eye
In addition to wearing the right contact lenses, here are some tips to help manage your dry eye symptoms:
- Use lubricating eye drops: Artificial tears can provide temporary relief from dryness. Make sure to choose preservative-free options.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps maintain overall eye hydration.
- Take regular screen breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid smoke and wind: Protect your eyes from environments that can exacerbate dryness.
Choosing the Right Contact Lens for You
Dry eye doesn’t have to ruin your day or deter you from wearing contact lenses. With the right lenses and smart practices, you can ease discomfort and see clearly with comfort.
At EyeQ Optical, we understand that everyone’s eyes are different—the solution that worked for your friend might not be the right one for you. That’s why we start with an in-depth exam to truly understand what’s going on under the eyelids. Finding your perfect lens match is just the start, as we can create a personalized treatment plan to suit your needs.
Book an appointment with us today and step into a more comfortable future!
