Dry Eyes And Contacts
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Dry eye syndrome is a very common problem. More than 10 million people in the US alone suffer from it. A person with dry eye generally has a problem with the quality and amount tear film needed for properly lubricating the eyes.Â
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Dry eye cause
Did you know A tear actually consists of 3 separate layers? There is a mucous layer, which coats the eye and acts somewhat like an glue. In the middle of a tear is an aqueous layer and it delivers the nutrients and oxygen to the cornea. Made up mostly of water, this layer also has a bit of salt, which is why tears taste salty. The outer layer of the tear, the lipid, is oily and it seals in the moisture so it does not evaporate. Tiny glands surrounding the eyes produce the ingredients needed for the various layers of tear, and excess tear fluids drain into tiny ducts.
People who have a hard time wearing contacts are often a consequence of dry eye. Up to 50% of soft contact lens wearers complain of dryness. A person with mild dry eye may not experience symptoms until they attempt to wear contacts. Contacts can disrupt the balance of tear film production and can bring about dry eye symptoms. Some dry eye patients can only wear lenses comfortably for short periods of time and others are unable to wear them at all. Dryness is the main reason why people quit wearing contact lens at all.
Preservatives used in multipurpose solutions can also be a problem to the discomfort and dryness in contact lens wearers. One study specifically evaluated dry eye contact lens wearers who compared AOSept, which has no added preservatives, to OptiFree, Renu, Solocare, and Complete. It was found that the majority of the subjects experienced increased comfort and reduced symptoms of dryness with the AOSept as compared to the multipurpose solutions.
Treatment for dry eye syndrome
There are ways for contact wearers to help relieve dry eyes and feel comfortable for longer periods of time wearing contacts. Possible solutions of contact lens related dryness include:
Contact lens rewetting drops: This is usually a temporary solution but does help. Some good rewetting drops are Refresh Contacts, Clerz Plus, or Clear Eyes Contact Lens Relief. For those with sensitive eyes, it is best to use a preservative-free drop.
Re-soak lenses during the day: People who have dryness after a few hours of wearing often experience much relief by removing and soaking their lenses for a few minutes. once back in, are able to wear their contacts comfortably for many more hours.
Care of lenses: replacing with fresh new lenses as often as prescribed, as well as cleaning lenses properly, makes a big differance to contact lens comfort. Protein deposits and other types of buildup on the lens surface can make the dryness worse. Sometimes switching to a more disposable lens or changing to a stronger lens cleaning system also may help.
Blinking more often: Blinking completely and often is needed to rewet the lenses and maintain comfort. Sometimes when your concentrating on something you forget to blink at all. This is why computer users often complain of lens dryness. You need to be consciously be aware of blinking frequently and completely if you are prone to dry eye.
Changing to a different lens material: There are brands designed to provide more comfort for those who have problems with dryness. Some examples are Proclear Compatibles and Acuvue Oasys. The newer, more oxygen permeable silicone hydrogel materials such as Focus Night & Day, Ciba O2 Optix, and Acuvue Advance have proven to be more comfortable for patients with moderate dry eye issues.
Dry eye inflammation
For moderate to severe dry eyes: Prescription eye drops like Restasis has proven to be very effective in cases where inflammation is the underlying cause of the dryness symptoms. Contact lenses should be removed before using these drops.
