Dry, gritty eyes are a common complaint from contact lens wearers. But what makes contacts so dry, and how does this affect the health of your eyes?

Let’s review a few of the basics about contact lenses and what causes dry eyes.

What is Contact Lens-Induced Dry Eye?

A primary reason contact lens wearers experience dry eyes is that the contact lens sits on the cornea to block oxygen. This leads to a deficiency that causes dry eyes.

Another cause is the contact lenses’ absorption of tears. In healthy eyes, tears are essential for keeping the eye hydrated and healthy, but contact lenses act as a sponge, absorbing the quality of the tears.

A final cause is that due to an altered tear layer on the surface of your eyes, you’re more likely to blink less frequently than you usually would. This means fewer tears will be secreted onto the surface of your eye.

How Do I Prevent Dry Eyes?

An easy way to combat dry eyes is through lubricating eye drops. These eye drops help replenish what’s lost by wearing your contacts and keep your eyes moist throughout the day.

Additionally, it is essential to talk with your optometrist about changing brands or types of contact lenses if possible.

What to Avoid When Wearing Contact Lenses

When it comes to wearing contact lenses, be sure to avoid practices that are known to dry eyes out.

These include:

• Wearing your contacts longer than prescribed
• Leaving your lenses in for too long during the day
• Touching or rubbing your eyes
• Sleeping in your contacts
• Wearing contacts when ill with a cold or the flu as bacteria could transfer into your lenses

What to Remember When Wearing Contacts

Maintaining healthy eye hygiene is essential. When wearing your contacts, here are a few reminders to keep you healthy:

• Always wash your hands before handling your lenses
• Rub and rinse contacts with a new contact solution after each wear. Replace every day or as directed on the package.
• Never reuse old solution – discard it and always use fresh solution when storing, inserting, removing, and cleaning your lenses – this will help prevent infection.
• Avoid using tap water to clean or store lenses – Only use the sterile saline or a multipurpose contact lens storage solution designed for daily cleaning and disinfection of your eyes. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully.

Do not rub the eye if possible, as this can irritate the eye more than helping out.

Eye Health with Dr. Mayli Davis

Our team at The Advanced Eyelid Surgery Center is highly knowledgeable about eye health. We can answer any questions you may have about your health and how to fix dry eyes. Dr. Mayli Davis will assist in finding the best treatment for each client. To contact The Advanced Eyelid Surgery Center, please call us at (817) 778-4444. We look forward to working with you.