Contact lenses for sensitive and dry eyes
Perhaps the most common complaint that doctors hear from contact lens wearers is: “my contact lenses make my eyes feel dry.” Fortunately, there are several remedies to combat this ailment.
Dry eye syndrome is a common problem among both lens wearers and people who do not wear lenses.
Fortunately, there is hope if you suffer from dry eye symptoms that are irritated, burning, or if you have red eyes when wearing lenses.
Many lens care products and all kinds of new types of lenses are available to ensure the right combination to improve the user comfort of people who need to wear contact lenses.
Contact lenses for dry eyes are usually from the latest Silicone Hydrogel generation. These retain much more water, which makes your eyes feel less dry. Most manufacturers now have such a latest generation of contact lenses.
Adding moisturizing eye drops to your contact lenses can also be a useful aid in extending the ease of use and lifespan of your contact lenses.
The products that are made to clean your contact lenses and protect them from infection are also an option, as there are now numerous products on the market that ensure that your lenses remain moist and are easy to wear.
Finding a solution to the problem usually starts with a visit to your eye specialist, who can evaluate the cause of the dry eyes resulting from wearing contact lenses. The specialist can look for the best way to increase wearing comfort.
Sometimes contact lens wearers avoid contacting an eye specialist after discomfort because they are afraid of being advised to no longer wear contact lenses. However, today there is a wide range of contact lenses and maintenance products available, so the fear of having to stop wearing contact lenses is no longer real.
The water content of contact lenses
Soft contact lenses are made by combining hydrophilic polymer that retains water to ensure that the lenses remain moist and comfortable. The percentage of water present in soft contact lenses can vary from 38 to approximately 79%.
Dry eyes are a major cause of discomfort when wearing contact lenses. Specific contact lenses for dry eyes can be very useful in this regard.
If you suffer from dry eyes as a result of wearing contact lenses, it can sometimes help to switch to a different brand of contact lenses with a lens consisting of material with less or more water. Always ask your eye specialist for advice on this.
What may be even more important than adjusting the water content of your contact lenses is to look for a treatment for any underlying cause of the dryness.
A condition that is often responsible for the discomfort of dryness when wearing lenses is sometimes called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This is an inflammation that is located in the walls of the eyelid that causes the secretion of oil on the surface of the eye, and a resulting lower evaporation of tears and a reduction of moisture in the eye.
The ophthalmologist can perform a simple test to see if you suffer from this specific problem and take the necessary steps to get the problem under control or successfully eliminate it.
Once the specialist has successfully treated these specific symptoms, he can proceed to determine which brand of contact lenses is best for your specific needs.
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses for dry eyes
This specific type of lens is designed from one or more new materials for soft lenses with a high oxygen permeability. This characteristic property is good for your cornea, which needs high levels of oxygen to stay clear and healthy and thus ensure good vision.
This specific type of contact lens usually consists of lenses with a lower water content and it can help reduce symptoms of red eyes. If you have experienced dryness with standard soft contact lenses, especially towards the end of the day, your eye doctor may recommend that you switch to this specific type of contact lens.
Brands of lenses that offer a solution for dryness problems
Many researchers and specialists have found through research that some brands of contact lenses can be particularly helpful in solving lens problems that may be related to dryness.
The so-called 'proclear' soft lenses from Cooper Vision are a possible option.
These lenses are made of a hydrogel material and contain Cooper Vision's trademarked PC Technology, in which the lenses contain certain molecules that are naturally found in the membranes of human cells.
These molecules attract water and surround themselves with it, and they keep the specific lenses moist and comfortable, even when worn for more than 12 hours, according to the manufacturer's statements.
This type of contact lenses are the only ones that receive the following label from the US Food and Drug Administration: they can provide improved comfort for contact lens wearers who suffer from mild discomfort or symptoms due to dryness during lens wear.
This type of lens is available in a wide range of designs, including a daily disposable version.
Extreme H2O (Hydrogel Vision) is another brand of soft lenses that is reportedly helpful in solving problems with ease of use due to dryness of the eyes.
Another option that many specialists also recommend for contact lens wearers with dry eyes is alcon's daily total 1, a type of daily disposable contact lenses. These single-use daily lenses feature an innovative design.
The water content is again 33% in the heart of the lens and increases to more than 80% towards the front and back of the lens. Because of this design, the lenses provide a silky soft surface with the necessary comfort that lasts all day long, according to the manufacturer.
Eye drops
Dry eyes from wearing contact lenses may be relieved by using occasional eye drops, also known as comfort drops, wetting drops, or artificial tears.
These moisturizing eye drops usually only provide a beneficial effect for a short time in combating the dryness of the symptoms resulting from wearing contact lenses.
However, certain types of drops are more effective and last longer than others, depending on the specific type of dry eyes you are dealing with. Always consult a specialist to get advice on which brands are best after examining your eyes.
If you want to use moisturizing eye drops to solve the problem temporarily or otherwise, it is particularly important to make the right product choice after consulting your eye specialist.