Can I wear contact lenses with dry eyes?
When someone has dry eyes, their tear production is not working properly. The water, mucin, and oil levels of the eyes are off. The eyes need to heal and often, wearing contact lenses inhibits the eye’s chance to breathe. Wearing the lenses “suffocates” the eye. We thus see many patients coming in complaining of dry eyes and wanting to know if they can wear contact lenses.
The biggest reason to avoid wearing contact lenses while experiencing dry eyes is the possibility of scratching your cornea due to the heightened sensitivity of the area. Should you feel the need to constantly rub your eyes, even when the lenses are out, you may be at a risk of a scratched cornea.
There are various contact lens brands on the market that are geared towards those whose eyes tend to dry out as they wear contact lenses. We always push daily contact lenses as they offer the ability to wear a fresh pair of lenses on a daily basis. Acuvue Oasys and Alcon Dailies Total 1 are daily lenses that offer the user a lens that tends to dry out less. Some patients opt for gas permeable lenses that retain more water.
There are various options on the market for contact lenses for those suffering from dry eyes. If you fear you have or will scratch your cornea, it is always best to err on the side of caution and call us to check it out. We can also discuss the best contact lens brand available for you.