The biggest reason for a contact lens wearer to stop wearing contacts is excessive complaints of contact lens dryness. This usually causes the lenses to become uncomfortable by the end of the day, leads to blurred vision, and can make it difficult to remove the lenses. All of these issues are common but are manageable when discussing what issues, you are having with your eye doctor. Changes can include using eye drops, switching types of contact lenses, or treating an underlying problem like inflammation of the eyelids. To find out what is causing the dryness with your contact lenses, it is important to discuss any and all issues that you have had with your doctor.
Dry Eyes and Contacts
While anyone can develop dry eyes, it is far more prevalent in the population that wears contact lenses.
Simply having a contact lens on the eye can reduce the amount of oxygen supplied to the cornea from the tear film.
This is often compounded by other factors such as overwearing lenses, wearing lenses that do not allow enough oxygen transmission, or having inflammation in the eyes.
When wearing contact lenses, small amounts of dryness can be enhanced and begin to cause symptoms.
Symptoms of Dryness with Contact Lenses
Dryness can lead to many symptoms which are irritating and make wearing contact lenses more difficult.
Having discomfort at the end of the day, or even after only a few hours, is a characteristic sign of dryness. The contact lens will dry out and the tear film is unable to keep it moistened as the eye itself is dry too.
Blurred vision, which may or may not improve with blinking or rubbing the eyes, is another sign of dryness. The tear film is needed to have a clear surface and when it is incomplete, blurriness may result.
If the contact lenses are difficult to remove, it may be due to the lens drying out throughout the day of wear. This can mean that the lens is no longer able to transmit oxygen as effectively as before and leading to dryness in the eyes.
Improving Contact Lens Dryness
While one option for improving dry eyes that are caused by contact lenses is to simply stop wearing contact lenses, there are options that allow continued contact lens wear.
One of the best methods of improving dryness with contact lenses is to switch the type of contact lens.
Changing the duration of the wear time from a monthly to a daily lens can reduce drying out as the contact ages.
Switching to a contact lens which is made from material that allows more oxygen to pass through to the cornea or has a surface that is more wettable can reduce the symptoms of dry eye.
When to Talk with Your Eye Doctor
If you are thinking about stopping contact lens wear or are having issues with your contacts, you should contact your eye doctor to discuss the issues.
Often, your eye doctor can make recommendations that will greatly improve your symptoms and allow you to wear contacts with comfort again!