Contact lenses are one of the most popular forms of vision correction. Their comfortable fit and feel make them a great option for daily wear.
Depending on their properties, different contact lenses are more suitable for particular ocular needs and lifestyles. For those with dry eyes, finding the right lens can lead to increased clarity and comfort.
We’ve highlighted the best contact lenses for dry eye sufferers:
- Acuvue Oasys with HydraLuxe Technology
- Acuve Oasys Max
- Alcon Daily Total1
- Bausch & Lomb Ultra
- Scleral Lenses
Understanding Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease is a common chronic eye condition that affects approximately 30% of Canadians. It occurs when your eyes lack the moisture needed to keep the eye’s surface lubricated.
This is usually a consequence of your tear film not producing enough good-quality tears, or of tears evaporating too quickly from the eye’s surface due to an unstable tear film.
Tears play an important role in maintaining eye health and providing clear vision. When the tear film becomes unstable, we experience irritation, discomfort, redness, and sometimes blurry vision.
The severity of dry eyes can range from a mild annoyance to a serious issue impacting daily activities and overall quality of life. While many experience periodic dry eye symptoms, others may experience more significant complications, including eye infections or corneal damage if the condition is left untreated.
Dry eyes can develop from several factors, including:
- Certain medications
- Environmental factors
- Tear gland dysfunction
- Prolonged contact lens wear
For those who experience chronic dry eye symptoms, wearing contact lenses comfortably can be challenging.
Wearing Contact Lenses with Dry Eyes
Wearing contacts that are incompatible with the severity of your dry eye can lead to further discomfort and exacerbate symptoms of dryness. In particular:
- The barrier provided by contact lenses restricts the flow of oxygen to the eye’s surface, preventing the natural tear film from stabilizing.
- Contact lenses can absorb tear moisture, further drying the eye’s surface. When the surface of the eye becomes severely dry, lenses can stick to the corneal surface.
- Lenses trap heat and moisture against the eye, leading to increased evaporation of the tear film. Evaporation becomes more pronounced when certain lens materials are less breathable, further limiting oxygen delivery to the cornea.
- Lenses can create a barrier restricting the natural spread of tears when you blink, further reducing lubrication.
- When contacts are worn around environmental triggers like prolonged screen use, it can cause the lens to absorb moisture from tears already in short supply.
Best Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes
Despite the variety of ways contacts can aggravate dry eye symptoms, having dry eyes doesn’t mean you have to give up wearing contacts. Advances in lens technology have created contacts suitable for dry eye sufferers.
Let’s explore some of these options!
Acuvue Oasys with HydraLuxe Technology
Acuvue Oasys with HydraLuxe Technology is a top choice for those with dry eyes. These lenses are designed to integrate with your tear film, providing consistent hydration throughout the day.
HydraLuxe Technology mimics natural tears, providing a smooth and stable tear film. This reduces friction between the lens and the eye, offering all-day comfort.
Wearers report significantly less dryness and discomfort, even during extended wear. The lenses are also praised for their ease of insertion and removal, making them a popular choice among dry eye sufferers.
Acuve Oasys Max
Acuvue Oasys Max contact lenses provide eye protection and comfort, offering the highest level of blue-violet light filtering to help reduce eye strain from digital screens. These lenses are equipped with Tear Stable™ Technology, which locks in moisture throughout the day.
Additionally, they feature the most effective UV blocking available in contact lenses, providing protection for your eyes against harmful UV rays.
Acuvue Oasys Max is a comfortable, protective, and technologically advanced contact lens solution.
Alcon Dailies Total1
Dailies Total1 lenses are known for their exceptional comfort, thanks to their water gradient technology. These daily disposable lenses are great for those who prefer the convenience of a fresh pair of lenses, eliminating the need for contact lens storage.
Its water gradient technology keeps the surface of the lens extremely moist, nearly matching the water content of the cornea. This helps minimize friction and maximize comfort.
Wearers enjoy the smooth feel and the convenience of these daily disposable lenses. The lenses maintain their moisture even in dry environments.
Bausch & Lomb Ultra
Bausch & Lomb Ultra One Day contact lenses feature MoistureSeal technology, which helps retain 95% moisture for a full 16 hours, providing long-lasting comfort throughout the day.
Inspired by the 2017 TFOS DEWS II Report on dry eye, these lenses are designed to address dryness and offer superior hydration, providing you comfort and eye health support.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses offer clear and comfortable vision while providing relief for individuals with severe dry eyes.
These lenses create a protective layer over the ocular surface, restoring hydration and promoting healing for those with chronic dry eye conditions.
Their unique design provides comfort and improved eye health, for those with challenging eye conditions.
Schedule a Contact Lens Fitting
Visiting your optometrist for a contact lens fitting is a vital step in finding a pair of contact lenses that are most suitable for your lifestyle and ocular needs. This personalized approach can be the difference between all-day comfort and irritation.
Connect with our team at MEye Health to schedule your contact lens fitting!
