Can I get contacts if I have dry eyes?

With dry eye, you may feel especially uncomfortable while wearing your contact lenses. You don’t have to give up wearing contact lenses if you have dry eye. Treating the cause of dry eye or changing to a different type of lens can help.

Are certain contacts better for dry eyes?

Daily contact lenses are the best option for those who suffer from dry eye. Replacing your contact lenses every day will help prevent the formation of protein deposits that make your eyes feel even drier. For dry eye patients choosing to wear contacts, soft contact lenses may be an option.

How do I choose contact lenses for dry eyes?

Contact lens water content and dry eyes In fact, the best lenses for dry eyes are those without a high water content. One of the most common types, hydrophilic soft contact lenses, actually need a lot of water to maintain their shape and do their job correctly – they even attract and absorb water when in the eye.

How can contact lenses help with dry eyes?

There are several options to consider that are specifically intended to help with dry eyes. Soft contact lenses: If you have been using hard or rigid gas permeable lenses, making the switch to soft contact lenses can help with dry eyes. Soft contact lenses allow oxygen to pass more freely to and from the eye.

Why are silicone hydrogel contacts good for dry eyes?

This is because the materials are made to hold water and allow for the transfer of oxygen. Both of these characteristics help your eyes retain moisture. Silicone hydrogels are especially useful for dry eyes because the material doesn’t let the water evaporate as quickly.

How much water does a soft contact lens need?

Most soft contact lenses contain 50 percent water. In order for the lens to maintain its shape and desired optics, it must remain fully hydrated at all times. Imagine your contact lenses are a sponge. Just as sponges need to be fully saturated to take on their natural shape, your contact lenses do too.

Can you wear contact lenses while your eyes are closed?

Because the lenses used in these procedures are gas permeable, they do not need as much moisture as soft lenses do to remain comfortable and effective. Plus, you wear them while sleeping, or while your eyes are closed, decreasing the chances of your lenses or eyes drying out due to tear evaporation.