Wearing contact lenses can be freeing—no fogged-up glasses, no frames slipping down your nose. But like any good thing, it comes with its own set of challenges. For example, contact lenses can lead to dry eyes.
But don’t worry! There are ways to address this frustrating problem while still enjoying the benefits of your contacts. At InVision Eyecare, we can help diagnose the problem and offer solutions to help relieve you of your symptoms.
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
Dry eyes happen when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears they do produce have an improper chemical composition. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, things that may cause dry eyes include:
- Environment: Exposure to pollution, dry air, and wind can make eyes feel dry.
- Health conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and thyroid disease are associated with dry eyes.
- Medications: Certain medications such as oral contraceptives, antihistamines, and antidepressants are associated with dry eyes.
- Genetics: Finally, your family history and genetics can contribute to dry eyes.
Symptoms of dry eyes include:
- A stinging or gritty sensation
- Redness
- Feeling like there’s something in your eyes
- Excessive tearing (these are reflex tears trying to overcompensate for dryness)
If they’re not treated, dry eyes can significantly affect your quality of life and can even be harmful to your eye health. For example, chronic dry eyes can cause scarring on corneal tissues, which can affect your vision. Wearing contact lenses can also feel irritating on dry eyes and increase your risk of infection.
How Contact Lenses Affect Dry Eyes
Contact lenses are a popular solution for vision correction, but they can sometimes make dry eye symptoms worse. Soft contact lenses can absorb moisture from your tears. The dryness that results can cause you to lose cells in the cornea in a patchy, non-uniform way.
For many people, these issues might make wearing lenses all day a challenge. But there’s good news—you don’t have to ditch your contacts altogether.
How to Relieve Dry Eyes
Managing dry eyes can be frustrating, but you have options. Here are treatments you can consider to help you address and relieve dry eye symptoms:
Talk to Your Optometrist
Your first step should be to consult with your optometrist. They can assess the severity of your condition and recommend treatments that address your unique concerns. Finding out whether the issue is related to an underlying condition can also help you find the right treatment option.
Ask About Eye Drops, Gels & Ointments
Lubricating eye drops, often called artificial tears, are a simple way to relieve dryness. Keep the following in mind if you’re considering eye drops:
- Avoid eye drops marketed for “red eyes” because they can contain vasoconstrictors that make dry eyes worse
- Try to buy preservative-free eye drops, especially if you’re using eye drops more than a few times a week or over a longer time period
- Gels and ointments are thicker and can cause blurry vision, so they are best used before bed
If you wear contact lenses, use preservative-free eye drops that are designed for contact lens wear. Otherwise, remove your contact lenses, wait five minutes, and apply the eye drops. Then, wait another 10-15 minutes before wearing your contact lenses again.
Consider Lifestyle Changes
A simple change in habits may also help relieve dry eyes. Some suggestions include:
- Avoiding windy or dry conditions
- Using a humidifier indoors
- Taking frequent breaks away from screens
- Getting good quality sleep and staying hydrated
- Treating underlying health conditions that may be associated with dry eyes
Other Treatment Options
Today, we have more treatment options than ever for dry eyes. You can ask your optometrist about other treatments such as:
- Punctal Plugs: These tiny devices prevent tears from draining too quickly, thereby giving your eyes more time to hydrate.
- Intense Regulated Pulsed Light (IRPL): A non-invasive treatment that targets the meibomian glands and stabilizes your eye’s tear film.
- Meibomian Gland Expression: A technique where the optometrist applies gentle pressure to the eyelids to clear blockages in the meibomian glands.
Get Support for Dry Eyes at InVision Eyecare
We get it. Living in the prairies means our eyes are often exposed to dry air and strong winds. This environment can lead to dry eyes, a condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life in work, at home, and even while having fun.
At InVision Eyecare, we strive to get to the root cause of your dry eyes and finding a treatment that works for you. Our goal is to provide a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable environment where you can ask questions and feel comfortable about your eye care. We also offer contact lens fittings and can teach you how to care for your lenses.If you have dry eyes or are in need of contact lenses, come visit us in Saskatoon or contact us today to book your next appointment.
