GW Eye Associates

How to Find the Best Contacts for Dry Eyes

Apr 5, 2022 @ 07:42 AM — by Gordon Wong, OD
Tagged with: Contact Lenses Dry Eyes

Insufficient tear production can lead to an uncomfortable condition known as dry eye syndrome. Contact lenses can aggravate symptoms of dry eye syndrome, making the eyes feel even more gritty, dry, and itchy. Luckily, our optometrists are here to help you find the best contacts for dry eyes.

With locations serving the Greater San Diego, Carmel Valley, and La Jolla, CA, areas, GW Eye Associates provide chronic dry eye treatments that effectively soothe burning eyes. Using gentle and conservative treatments, we can help you see your world with unmatched comfort and clarity.

But, getting dry eye treatment is only half of the battle. The other half is knowing how to find the best contacts for dry eyes. Here, our knowledgeable team will give you tips and recommendations on how to get comfortable contact lenses that alleviate dry eye symptoms.

Factors to Consider

When it comes to choosing comfortable contacts that won’t worsen dry eye symptoms, patients should consider three factors:

Lens Material

Contact lenses are made from biocompatible plastic. Typically, optometrists prescribe soft contact lenses for patients with near or farsightedness and hard contact lenses for patients with underlying medical conditions.

Patients suffering from dry eye should always opt for soft contact lenses. This is because soft contact lenses allow for better oxygen permeability, which improves dry-eye symptoms.

Lens Size

In general, contact lenses only cover the colored part of the eye, or iris. Larger contacts, like those intended for people with astigmatism, cover more of the sclera, or the white part of the eye.

While not every patient with dry eye syndrome will have astigmatism, they may benefit from larger contact lenses. The increased surface area of larger contacts allows for better oxygen permeability, which can improve dry eye symptoms.

Disposability

Disposable contact lenses are not only convenient, they are safer, too. This is because dirt, protein, and bacteria build up on contact lenses over time. Nightly soaking with a quality contact solution helps remove these harmful substances from contact lenses, but frequent replacement guarantees your safety and ultimate comfort.

Which Contacts Are Right for Me?

The best contacts for dry eyes are disposable, soft contact lenses that allow for optimal oxygen permeability. Let’s explore some contact lenses specifically designed to soothe itchy, dry eyes.

Daily Disposables

The more you replace your contacts, the healthier and more hydrated your eyes will be. Single-use contacts allow you to wear fresh, clean contacts every day, which limits dirt, protein, and bacterial buildup that can cause itchy, dry eyes. Acuvue Oasys 1-Day contacts are a patient favorite to address dry eye symptoms.

Weekly or Bi-weekly Disposables

If daily disposable contacts aren’t for you, then weekly or bi-weekly disposables are a great intermediate solution. Designed with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS technology, these Acuvue Oasys contacts offer extended dry eye relief.

Monthly Disposables

You should never wear your contacts for more than a month at a time. However, some contacts, like Acuvue Vita contacts, offer superior oxygen permeability, which allows you to comfortably wear them for a full month before replacing them.

Talk to Our Optometrists about Dry Eye Treatment Today

At GW Eye Associates, we can address your dry eye symptoms by helping you choose contacts that fit your lifestyle and budget. So, don’t wait, schedule a consultation today by contacting us online or calling one of our two locations.