Possible Problems With Contact Lenses: Dry Eye

Understanding Dry Eye

As the term suggests, dry eye is due to a lack of lubrication of the eye that leads to irritation and pain. While it’s ironic that dry eyes can often produce excess tearing, increasing the moisture, the tearing is not consistent enough to eradicate the problem. Often the symptoms are enough to tell your eye doctor what’s wrong, but a test can be performed to determine how much moisture is actually in your eye.

Tears and Your Eyes

Tears do more than keep the eye moist. They also contain substances that kill germs that can cause eye infections. The health of your eyes depends on tears. While natural body changes-like menopause or medications-can contribute to dry eye syndrome, many other factors can contribute to dry eyes. One of those contributors is contact lenses.

Dry Eye and Your Contact Lenses

While many love the convenience and cosmetic advantages of contact lenses, wearers cite dry eye as their most frequent discomfort. Often this is alleviated by the addition of artificial tears to their eye care. One simply places drops in the eye whenever the discomfort starts, and the lenses are comfortable for some time afterward. Remember that with some brands of artificial tears you must remove your lenses and wait a few minutes before placing them back in.

Artificial Tears and Your Eyes

Sometimes using artificial tears for your contact lenses isn’t enough. If you live in a dry and dusty climate, the problem will return quickly. In addition to artificial tears, you may have to wear protective sunglasses when you’re outdoors. Make sure you buy glasses that wrap around your eyes and seal out wind. Panoptx makes a very popular pair of wrap-around sunglasses. These glasses have an inside seal that provides additional protection from the elements.

Allergies and Dry Eyes

If you also have allergies, try filtering your home’s air system. There are special furnace filters as well as air duct and vent filters that will help keep particulate matter down. Also consider adding a humidifier system-but remember that these need maintenance or could add mold to your list of problems.

See Your Doctor

In the end, your eye doctor may suggest you switch to a different lens material or reduce your daily wearing time. If it’s a continuing problem, you may have to return to eyeglasses until they problem is cured by medicine, lacrimal plugs, or dietary supplements.

Of course, if you believe that you are suffering from any type of eye problem, it is important that you do seek medical attention quickly.  You can prevent significant harm by obtaining appropriate attention to any eye problem immediately.

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