The 10 Best Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes 2024 Guide
Are you caught in a struggle between wanting to wear your contact lenses but also not wanting to exacerbate your dry eye condition? Using contact lenses that are not appropriate for your eyes and your specific health challenges can result in damage to your eyesight. In this article, we will offer some expert recommendations for the best contact lenses for individuals who struggle with dry eyes.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
High quality tears contain oil, water and mucus and aid in supporting a stable tear film by preventing evaporation and allowing for adequate moisturisation. If your eyes don't produce enough tears or your tears are of poor quality, then your eyes may not get the lubrication they need, thereby causing dry eyes.
There are also other factors that can lead to dryness of the eyes like the following:
- Illnesses
- Medications
- Hormonal changes
- Not blinking enough
- Dry air
- Contact lenses
Do Contact Lenses Make Your Eyes Feel Dry?
Like we discussed earlier, dry eyes can be the result of various individual factors. As you can imagine, a combination of these factors can further exacerbate the condition. While contact lenses themselves are not guaranteed to cause dry eyes, those who are prone to dry eyes may find that their condition is worsened by them.
How do Contact Lenses Make Your Eyes Dry?
Contact lenses can affect the natural functioning of your eye by interfering with the blink feedback loop which signals the lacrimal glands to produce tears while also causing the eyes to blink. Contacts also decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes which again interferes with tear production.
It is also important to note that using contact lenses in a way that is not intended by the manufacturer can also cause problems for your eyes. Some of the most common mistakes we see people make are overwearing contact lenses, not cleaning the contact lenses well enough and wearing the wrong size of contacts.
What to Look for in Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes?
Choose Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses allow for high oxygen permeability and also prevents the water in the contact lenses from drying out rapidly, giving you a comfortable experience throughout the day.
Pick Low Moisture Lenses
Contact lenses with high water content can end up absorbing the moisture from your own tears. On the other hand, contacts with low water content like Silicone Hydrogel lenses have low water content but provide adequate moisture for your eyes.
Switch to Daily Disposable Lenses
Those who are prone to dry eyes will benefit from swapping out their contact lenses for a fresh new pair each day for optimal moisture and comfort. A new pair means that you don’t have to worry about protein deposits or the hassle of maintaining your lenses.
Use Rewetting Eye Drops
Contact lens rewetting drops are a great option for hydrating both your contact lenses and your eyes. Make sure that you pick eye drops that are specifically meant to be used with contact lenses. Your eye doctor can help you find the right rewetting drops for your needs.
Top 10 Contacts for Dry Eyes
1-Day Acuvue Moist
1-Day Acuvue Moist contact lenses are ideal for daily wear thanks to their hydrating capabilities and exceptional oxygen permeability. These contact lenses provide a long-lasting moisture that keeps your eyes moisturized all day long. Crafted with ultra-thin Etafilcon A, this is a hydrogel lens that provides a smooth surface that aids in overall comfort.
Lens Type: Daily Disposable Lenses
Lens Material: Etafilcon A
Water Content: 69%
Dailies Total 1
Dailies Total 1 is an excellent daily disposable product made of Delefilcon A. With a low water content, these lenses are ideal for those with dry eyes and provide optimal all day comfort without compromising the tear film. We recommend these lenses for those who are prone to having dry eyes.
Lens Type: Daily Disposable Lenses
Lens Material: Delefilcon A
Water Content: 33%
Bausch and Lomb Ultra
Bausch & Lomb Ultra contact lenses silicone hydrogel lenses that offer excellent oxygen permeability and moisture retention. We recommend these lenses for those who spend lots of time in front of digital screens.
Lens Type: Monthly Lenses
Lens Material: Samfilcon A
Water Content: 46%
Biofinity
Biofinity contact lenses offer clear vision, adequate moisture and superb breathability, ideal for keeping your eyes as healthy as possible. The low water content of these silicone hydrogel lenses means a lowered risk of the material drawing moisture from your eyes. All in all, these lenses are excellent for those with dry eyes.
Lens Type: Monthly Lenses
Lens Material: Comfilcon A
Water Content: 48%
Air Optix Plus Hydraglyde
Air Optix Plus Hydraglyde contact lenses are monthly lenses made from silicone hydrogel. These lenses have an impressive oxygen transmissibility, making them highly breathable. These lenses also offer protection against protein deposits and offer long term moisture and protection to combat irritation.
Lens Type: Monthly Lenses
Lens Material: Lotrafilcon B
Water Content: 33%
Dailies Aquacomfort Plus
Dailies Aquacomfort Plus are excellent daily disposable contacts made from Nelfilcon A. These high moisture lenses come with a 69% water content and can be disposed of after each wear. Those with dry eyes will greatly benefit from these lenses thanks to their moisturizing capabilities.
Lens Type: Daily Disposable Lenses
Lens Material: Nelfilcon A
Water Content: 69%
Acuvue Oasys
Acuvue Oasys contact lenses are daily disposable lenses made from Senofilcon A. These lenses have a low water content of 38% and are thus perfectly suited for those with dry eyes; a true no-brainer for those who want the moisture and comfort.
Lens Type: Daily Disposable Lenses
Lens Material: senofilcon A
Water Content: 38%
Precision 1
Precision 1 contact lenses are excellent daily disposable lenses that are made to offer optimal hydration and comfort with a highly breathable silicone hydrogel material and 51% water content. If you are looking for contacts that won’t exacerbate your dry eyes, these are your best choice!
Lens Type: Daily Disposable Lenses
Lens Material: Verofilcon A
Water Content: 51%
Clariti 1 Day
Clariti 1 Day contact lenses are daily disposable contacts that are made from the silicone hydrogel, a material that is ideal for those who are looking for high breathability in their contacts. The contact lenses feature an interesting technology that keeps water on the lens surface instead of evaporating away.
Lens Type: Daily Disposable Lenses
Lens Material: Somofilcon A
Water Content: 56%
Bio True
BioTrue contact lenses are high quality daily disposable lenses made from Nesofilcon A with a high water content of 78%. These contacts offer high comfort and block harmful UV rays, making them an ideal choice for those with dry eyes.
Lens Type: Daily Disposable Lenses
Lens Material: Nesofilcon A
Water Content: 78%
Concluding Thoughts
There is certainly no shortage of high quality contact lenses available on the market for those with dry eyes; our recommendations reflect this fact. Before purchasing your contact lenses, we advise you to speak to your eye care provider regarding your dry eye condition. Once your doctor has ruled out any possible risks of using contact lenses, they will be able to prescribe a pair that suits your specific needs. Find the best contact lenses for dry eyes here on adasat.com