Dry eyes and contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA usually don’t mix well, but it’s not impossible to wear contacts with this condition, as long as the dry eye syndrome is being treated by an optometrist.

What is Meant by Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes occur when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort, irritation, and redness. For those who try to wear contact lenses, this condition can worsen, causing the lenses to feel uncomfortable, blurry, or even painful. So, can you wear contacts with dry eyes? Well, it depends.

The Impact of Dry Eyes on Contact Lens Wear

Contacts do have a minimal effect on the surface moisture content of the eye. When you have dry eyes, your eyes may not produce enough moisture to keep your lenses comfortable. This can result in the lenses feeling dry, gritty, or irritating. Contacts can also disrupt the natural tear film that protects the surface of your eyes, exacerbating dryness. The thing is, you could end up with a bigger problem if your cornea ends up getting scratched as a result.

Choosing the Right Contacts

If you have dry eyes but still want to wear contacts, there are options designed to minimize discomfort. Soft, silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen to reach the eye, which helps keep your eyes hydrated. You could also talk to your optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA about scleral lenses, which don’t actually make contact with the cornea itself. Some contact lenses are also designed specifically for dry eye sufferers, offering moisture-locking features or better hydration to reduce irritation.

If you’re determined to wear contacts even though you suffer from dry eyes, talk to Lappen Eye Care. We can recommend various options that might make that possible. Get in touch today.