Dry Eye Care and Contact Lenses

Do you experience eye irritation when wearing contact lenses? Here are some simple and easy-to-remember dry eye care tips for comfortable vision. 

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When it comes to vision correction, contact lenses offer a convenient and comfortable alternative to traditional eyeglasses. In fact, they are often recommended by eye doctors to patients of all ages because of their many benefits, which include:

• a better/wider field of vision;
• improved safety, especially when you’re involved in physical activity;
• greater visual clarity and peripheral vision;
• less visual obstructions and distortions;
•  more natural, free look.

We can help you find the perfect pair of contact lenses!

At Market Mall Optometry, our eye doctors provide a comprehensive contact lens fitting service to check the health of your eye and determine which lenses are best suited for your particular needs.

In addition, we offer dry eye care services for those who are prone to eye irritation, to ensure you are always comfortable and happy with your vision.

Want to know how we can help you?

 

Dry Eye Care and Contact Lenses

If you have dry eyes, you may not be producing enough tears to keep your eyes adequately lubricated, which in turn can make wearing contact lenses quite uncomfortable.

Dry eye is one of the main reasons why people give up wearing contact lenses and turn back to eyeglasses. The good news? There are certain dry eye care solutions that can make wearing lenses more comfortable.

1. Talk To Your Optometrist About Eye Drops Or Sprays

There are many different types of eye drops, sprays, and washes that are available and suitable for the care of dry eyes exacerbated by contact lenses. These can be applied safely while wearing your lenses and have many benefits, including:

• reduced vision discomfort;
• refreshed eyes;
• instant relief from burning or stinging eyes;
• replenished natural eye moisture, relieving dryness and irritation.

You can get many of these eye drops over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, but if you find that they aren’t working for you, then it’s important to consult your eye-doctor as they could give you an alternative to cope with a more severe case of dry eye.

 

2. Consider Taking Supplements

As part of your dry eye care treatment, your optometrist may suggest that you ensure your nutrition is adequate. 

Some eye vitamins you might want to consider taking include supplements such as:

• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Omega 3

These have all been proven to demonstrate positive change in both your eye health and overall well-being.

 

3. Discuss Your Contact Lens Options With Your Eye Doctor

To avoid or reduce dry-eye related contact lens discomfort, it’s important to discuss your options carefully with your eye doctor. There are certain lenses that retain moisture better, allowing for greater wearing comfort.

Be sure to talk to your optometrist about:

• Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses: These contact lenses are made from the latest material available. They allow up to five times more oxygen to reach the eye than other lenses, making them good for dry eye sufferers.

• Low Water Content Contact Lenses: While most people believe that the higher the water content in contact lenses, the more comfort they provide, this is not necessarily true. For dry eye sufferers, too much moisture in the lens can draw the eye’s natural tears away.

• Daily Disposable Contact Lenses: These are a great option for dry eye sufferers because they’re only worn once and thrown away in the evening, so no dirt or deposits build up and cause irritation or discomfort.

 

4. Stick To The Right Cleaning Routine

One of the most important dry eye care tips for contact lens wearers is to make sure that you take care of and clean your lenses properly. This will prevent any deposits from building up and causing irritation, or even worse, a serious infection.

Contact Care Tips:

• ALWAYS wash your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses. Be sure to rinse and dry them with a lint-free towel.
• Minimize contact with water. ALWAYS remove your lenses before showering or swimming.
• NEVER rinse your lenses with water (tap or sterile).
• NOT put your contact lenses in your mouth to wet them. Saliva is not a sterile solution and this could cause infections or serious eye conditions.
• Always follow the specific contact lens cleaning and storage guidelines given to you by your eye doctor.
• Use the ‘rub and rinse’ method when cleaning your lenses. ALWAYS rub the lenses with your fingers, and then rinse the lens with the solution before soaking them.
• If you use a contact lens case, rinse it with solution NOT water and leave it open to dry.
• Keep the contact lens case clean and replace it at least once every 3 months.

 

Learn More About Calgary Dry Eye Care And Contact Lens Solutions

To find out more about dry eye care and contact lenses, or to book a contact lens fitting, contact our Calgary eye clinic today at  403-286-4884 or fill in our online contact form.