Key Takeaways
- Dry eye happens when your tear film loses its balance, which can make contacts feel gritty.
- Comfortable lens wear stays possible with the right lens type and daily habits.
- Daily disposables, low water content lenses, and scleral lenses can all help with dryness.
- A proper fitting at Warman Eyecare matches the right lens to your eyes.
The Right Contacts Can Keep Your Vision Comfortable
Dry eye can turn a normal day in contacts into hours of blinking and rubbing. By afternoon, your lenses may feel scratchy, and you might even struggle to wear them at all. Our team at Warman Eyecare meets patients with dry eye every day, and we can match you with lenses and dry eye treatment designed to help you find relief.
You can comfortably wear contact lenses with dry eye when you pick the right lens type and follow a few simple habits that keep your eyes comfortable.
What Dry Eye Means for Contact Lens Wearers
The surface of your eyes is coated with a thin layer of tears called the tear film. This layer works to keep your eyes smooth and clear. When the tear film becomes unbalanced, your eyes dry out faster than they should.
For contact lens wearers, symptoms can show up quickly. Lenses that felt fine in the morning may start to feel gritty or irritated by afternoon. You may also experience blurry vision that comes and goes during the day.
Fortunately, with a few changes, it is possible to keep wearing your contacts without that dry, scratchy feeling.
Common Signs of Dry Eye
Dryness rarely arrives all at once. Instead, it tends to build through the day, often while you’re staring at a screen or sitting in a dry room. Common symptoms include:
- A stinging or burning sensation
- A gritty or scratchy feeling, like sand behind your lids
- Redness after long hours of wear
Why Lenses Add to Dryness
Contacts sit right on the surface of your eye, so they change how your tears behave. Wearing lenses reduces airflow to the cornea (the front layer of the eye), while many lenses also soak up moisture and leave your eyes feeling drier. Older lenses also collect buildup from proteins and oils, which can likewise contribute to symptoms.
Contact Lens Types for Dry Eyes
Not every contact lens works the same way when your eyes are dry. Some lenses are actually designed to be worn by people prone to dry eye.
- Daily disposables start fresh each morning, so buildup never has a chance to form.
- Low water content lenses hold their moisture instead of pulling it from your eyes.
- Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and trap a layer of fluid underneath, which can help with stubborn dryness.
Why a Proper Fitting Matters
A lens that fits poorly can rub against and irritate your eye. A fitting with our team at Warman Eyecare measures the shape of your eye and matches your needs to the right brand and material.
Daily Habits to Keep Your Eyes Comfortable
Small routines make a big difference in how your contacts feel. Try building these into your day:
- Use contact-safe lubricating drops to refresh your lenses between tasks.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Never sleep in your lenses unless your eye doctor tells you it’s safe.
Simple Lifestyle Adjustments
Your environment also contributes to your comfort. Drink water through the day to stay hydrated, and run a humidifier at home during the dry Saskatoon winter. When you head outside, make sure to wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from wind and blowing dust.
Care Tips That Make a Difference
Clean lenses feel better and help keep your eyes healthier. Wash your hands before you touch your lenses and make sure to replace your lens case every 3 months to prevent bacteria from collecting. Use fresh contact lens solution rather than topping off yesterday’s.
How the Dry Eye Clinic in Warman Can Help
Sometimes, good habits and eye drops aren’t enough on their own. Our team at Warman Eyecare can check your tear film and suggest treatment options for relief.
At Warman Eyecare, your family’s vision gets the local, trusted care it deserves. Book your visit today and let our team help you stay comfortable in your contacts.
