Best Contacts for Dry Eyes

Why hide those beautiful eyes when you have the option of wearing contact lenses? Contact lenses have given the people suffering from vision problems such as myopia, hypermetropia or astigmatism, the freedom to do away with spectacles. Now you don't have to worry about spectacles affecting your physical appearance, however, there is one thing that every contact lens wearer must know. Those of you who are suffering from dry eyes syndrome need to be very cautious while selecting contact lenses. Wondering what are the best contacts for dry eyes? Before I move on to the aspect of best contacts for dry eyes, let me tell you about the connection between contact lenses and dry eyes. Let me start with the causes of dry eyes syndrome.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eye syndrome is a disorder associated with the tear film which keeps our eyes well-lubricated. In case of some people, the production of tears decreases and that makes them prone to developing various eye problems. Abnormality of the tear film could be associated with decreased quantity as well as abnormal chemical composition of the tears. While some people might not secrete tears in adequate amounts, some might be secreting enough but the tear film might not be composed of all the essential components. Either ways, one might experience severe discomfort. When tears start evaporating quickly, one experiences a gritty or foreign body sensation in the eyes. Blurred vision, redness, burning sensation or tearing eyes are some of the common symptoms of the dry eyes syndrome. Though in the case of many, dry eyes might be associated with the process of aging, at times medical conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis could be responsible for decreased tear production. Misuse of contact lenses could also be responsible for dry eyes. Does that mean that people suffering from dry eyes must not wear contact lenses? Well, dry eyes patients can use contact lenses, but they must pay special attention to the aspect of eye care. Let's find out about the best contacts for dry eyes.

Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes

Before I tell you about the best contacts for dry eyes, let me tell you how contact lenses can trigger the problem of dry eyes. Contact lens wearers must watch out for signs of dry eyes. If you have been experiencing blurred vision or gritty sensation in the evenings, take them to be the early signs of dry eyes. The soft contact lenses that you use are made from polymers and water. In fact, the water content could be as high as 79% in some of these soft contact lenses. While most of us might think that high water content might be better for dry eyes, that's not true. While these lenses might feel comfortable during the early hours, as the day progresses, evaporation of water takes place and then the lens starts sucking moisture or tears from your tear film. Since lenses are placed on the cornea, these might prevent proper absorption of oxygen and that might also adversely affect the health of your eyes. It is, therefore, extremely important to use the best contacts for dry eyes.

Good Contacts for Dry Eyes

Since the number of dry eyes sufferers is on the rise, many people seem to be developing contact lens intolerance. To tackle this problem, contact lens manufacturers are trying to find ways to create the best contacts for dry eyes. Proclear Compatibles, Acuvue Oasys and Ciba 02 Optix are some of the best contact lenses for dry eyes. Their aim is to use certain materials in order to make contact lenses comfortable for those with dry eyes. Since hydrophilic or high water content lenses that hold water to moisten the lens don't work that well, the best contacts for dry eyes would be the ones with lower water content. One can also try Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contact lenses. Though the problem of water evaporating from the lens is tackled, the use of RGP contacts might pose other problems. Since these are rigid, these don't provide much comfort and might irritate your eyes. Manufacturers have therefore come up with silicone hydrogel contact lenses that not only contain less water but also allow the cornea to breathe due to their high oxygen permeability. These are definitely the best contacts for astigmatism and dry eyes. Besides the use of these contacts, you must consult an ophthalmologist regarding the treatment for dry eyes. Certain prescription eye drops can be used while wearing contacts. So, make sure that you keep your eyes well-lubricated. Since dry eyes can cause increased sensitivity to light and wind, make sure that you wear protective eyeglasses. Never misuse your contact lenses.

This was all about best contacts for dry eyes. If you are grappling with the problem of dry eyes, take all possible precautions. If you have been experiencing discomfort frequently, you must consult an ophthalmologist soon.