Dry eye happens when the eyes do not make enough tears. Or the tears produced lack quality. Tears keep eyes healthy and comfortable. People experience dryness, irritation, redness, and blurred vision without proper tears.
 

Contact lens wearers face other dry eye challenges. Lenses sit directly on the eyes. Though comfortable for most, they limit oxygen reaching the eye surface.
 

Restricted oxygen worsens existing dry eye symptoms, causing significant discomfort. It makes seeing clearly with contacts difficult.
 

The Tough Challenges of Dry Eye for Contact Lens Wearers

People wearing contacts while dealing with dry eye face several complex problems daily. Here are some of the biggest challenges.
 

Constant Dry, Gritty Feeling

One of the main issues is that dry eye causes a never-ending gritty, dry sensation in the eyes. This dryness and grittiness are incredibly uncomfortable, especially when wearing contacts right on the eyes. The contacts make this dry feeling even worse.
 

Red, Irritated Eyes

Dry eye causes red, irritated eyes. Eyes look and feel inflamed, especially after long contact lens wear. Allergies worsen irritation. Poor lens fit increases irritation, too. Debris buildup on your lenses makes your eyes more irritated.
 

Blurry, Cloudy Vision

Dry eyes cause blurry, cloudy vision due to deposits on the lenses. Proteins, lipids, and dirt can build up over time, clouding the lenses and making visual distortions annoying.
 

Good cleaning helps but cannot remove all deposits. You may need to get new lenses to avoid blurred, distorted sight.
 

Higher Infection Risks

Dry eyes require extra lens hygiene care. Poor cleaning and disinfecting raise infection risks. Not washing hands before inserting lenses allows bacteria entry.
 

Using expired solutions introduces infections. Wearing contacts while swimming or sleeping provides infectious routes, too. Proper hygiene prevents eye infections.
 

Potential Allergies

Some people react to contact lens materials. Others react to cleaning solutions. Reactions cause eye itchiness, redness, and swelling. Inflammation may also occur around your eyes.
 

Lenses Moving Out of Position

Dry eye can make contact lenses shift from their proper position. Lenses might even dislodge completely. Rubbing those itchy, dry eyes can move the lenses. Poor lens fitting allows movement, too. Wearing contacts in dry, dusty, windy conditions increases shifting risks.
 

When lenses shift, vision gets blurry. You feel frustrated as you wait for the lens to re-center over the pupil. If a lens dislodges, you must take it out and reinsert it. Only then does your vision clear up again.
 

Tips for Better Contact Lens Comfort with Dry Eye

Are you dealing with dry eyes while wearing contact lenses? Try these tips for better comfort:
 

• Use rewetting drops periodically to boost your tear quantity and quality.
• Take breaks from your contacts to give your eyes relief and time to recover.
• Clean and disinfect your lenses thoroughly, following your doctor’s instructions.
• If issues persist despite cleaning and rewetting, see an eye doctor.
• Schedule regular eye exams, which are essential for monitoring dry eye progression.
• Minimize friction and irritation around your eyes and lenses. Avoid excessive eye rubbing, ensure proper lens fit, and remove your lenses in dry, dusty, or windy conditions.

Wearing contacts with chronic dry eye creates challenges. You feel discomfort, vision blurs, and lens issues occur. Also, health risks arise if not appropriately managed. Diligent practices allow successful wear.
 

Keep your lenses clean with a proper routine and seek professional care. Follow these practices diligently to improve your comfort and wear contacts safely despite chronic dry eye.
 

For more on dry eye syndrome, visit Grand Eye Care at our River Grove, Illinois, office. Call (708) 583-1100 to schedule an appointment today.
 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1367048423000188

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6095561/