Are Your Contact Lenses Causing Dry Eye?

Over 30 million of the United States population wear contact lenses. Many of them prefer contacts due to the convenience they offer. They also provide vision correction without altering your appearance. You barely feel that you have them on.

But if you are a contact lens wearer and start experiencing dry eyes, you may wonder if they are the cause. Read on to learn if your contacts can cause dry eye.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition that occurs due to inadequate tear production. As a result, it causes the eye surface to lack sufficient lubrication and moisture. Tears are essential as they provide nutrients and lubrication to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy.

Causes of Dry Eye

The primary causes of dry eye include:
 

• Arid, windy, and smoky environments.
   

• Swollen eyelids or blepharitis.
   

• Existing health conditions like lupus or thyroid disease.
   

• Refractive eye surgeries like LASIK.
   

• Hormonal changes like menopause in women.
   

• Medications such as antidepressants.

Can Contact Lenses Cause Dry Eye?

Typically, contact lenses are not the primary cause of dry eye. However, they increase dry eye symptoms. Your cornea is the only body part that directly receives oxygen from the air. One of the reasons wearing contact lenses predisposes you to dry eyes is that the lenses partially block oxygen from the air entering your eye.

Different types of contact lenses let oxygen permeate your eye, but you can still experience dry eye symptoms, especially towards the end of the day. Contact lens-induced dry eyes can also develop due to the lenses absorbing your tears. They need liquid to maintain their shape and stay soft.

A healthy eye has tears that allow the contact to swim comfortably in the tear film above your cornea. However, lacrimal fluid shortage causes your tear film to have gaps that will cause the contact lens to irritate your eye surface. As a result, you experience dry eye symptoms.

Dry eye symptoms can also worsen if the contact lenses are poorly fitting or low in quality. They may absorb a lot of liquid from your tear film and lessen the moisture in your eyes. You can also experience this if you wear your traditional soft contacts longer than you should. Friction caused by wearing contact lenses can worsen dry eye symptoms.

Symptoms of Dry Eye Induced by Contact Lenses

You may have dry eyes induced by wearing contact lenses if you have the following symptoms:
 

• Itchy, gritty, sore, and dry eyes.
   

• Stinging eyes.
   

• Watery eyes.
   

• Light sensitivity.
   

• Red eyes.
   

• Soreness.
   

• Tired eyes.
   

• Blurred vision.

How to Avoid Contact Lens-induced Dry Eye

Avoiding a problem before it happens is always the best solution. Contact lens wearers can ensure a professional properly fits their lenses. They should also check their vision and eyes regularly. Wear high-quality contact lenses if you are naturally prone to experiencing dry eyes.

It is also essential to maintain your eye health by ensuring that you wear your contact lenses for the recommended period. Avoid wearing contacts when you have flu or cold, as you can produce aggravating germs that can affect your eyes during this time.

Avoid wearing contact lenses for extended periods if you suffer from dry eyes. Visit your eye doctor for a dry eye exam to determine the root cause of the problem. They can then recommend the best treatment for the condition.

For more about dry eye, visit Paradise Canyon Eye Care at our office in St. George, Utah. Call (435) 334-2331 to book an appointment today.

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