Contact lenses offer a convenient and effective solution for vision correction. However, they can sometimes lead to dry eye, a condition that can make wearing contacts uncomfortable. At Southern Eye Centers in Baton Rouge and Plaquemine, LA, we frequently encounter patients who experience dry eye symptoms related to their contact lens use. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and solutions can help you enjoy the benefits of contact lenses without the discomfort.
Understanding dry eye and contact lenses
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly. This condition can be exacerbated by contact lens wear, which can interfere with the natural tear film on the surface of your eyes. Symptoms of contact lens-induced dry eye include irritation, redness, discomfort, and blurry vision. You may notice that your eyes feel gritty or itchy, appear red and bloodshot, or that wearing your contact lenses becomes uncomfortable, especially toward the end of the day. These problems might be connected to the type of lens, how they fit, wearing them for too long, your environmental surroundings, or underlying health conditions.
Treatment for dry eye with contact lenses
At Southern Eye Centers, we provide advanced treatment options to help you manage dry eye symptoms and see clearly and comfortably with contact lenses. We offer special contact lenses for dry eye called scleral lenses, which are larger than regular contact lenses and rest on the white part of your eye (the sclera) rather than your cornea. They create a reservoir of tears between the lens and the cornea, helping to keep your eyes hydrated.
Depending on the underlying cause of your dry eyes, we also offer the following treatment options:
- MiBo Thermoflo: This advanced therapy uses continuous controlled heat and gentle pressure to unclog the meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing the oily layer of your tear film. This helps improve the quality of your tears and reduces evaporation.
- LidPro: This advanced treatment focuses on improving eyelid hygiene and function. By addressing issues like blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction, LidPro helps maintain a healthy tear film, reducing dry eye symptoms.
- OptiLight IPL therapy: Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy targets the root causes of dry eye by reducing inflammation and improving the function of the meibomian glands. This treatment can lead to significant improvements in tear production and overall eye comfort.
When to see an eye doctor
If you’re experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms, it’s important to consult with an eye care professional. At Southern Eye Centers, our dry eye specialists in Baton Rouge and Plaquemine can conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. We will then develop a personalized treatment plan to provide you with lasting relief from discomfort and dryness.
Dry eye can be a frustrating side effect of wearing contact lenses, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right treatment and care, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of contact lenses without the discomfort. If you’re struggling with dry eye, contact Southern Eye Centers in Baton Rouge and Plaquemine, Louisiana.