Do you struggle to wear contact lenses because of dry eyes? Here are some simple and easy dry eye care tips for comfortable and clear vision.
For patients who require vision correction, contact lenses offer a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and convenient alternative to traditional eyeglasses. In fact, eye doctors recommend them to patients of all ages because they have many benefits, including:
- A wider field of vision
- Greater visual clarity and peripheral vision
- Enhanced safety, especially if you are very active
- More natural and free look
Comprehensive Contact Lens Services in NW and SW Calgary
At Blink Eyewear, our qualified NE and SW Calgary eye doctors provide comprehensive contact lens fittings to check your eye health and determine which contact lenses are best suited for your particular needs.
We also offer dry eye care services for patients who suffer from this condition to ensure you always feel comfortable and happy with your vision.
Want to know how we can help you?
Top Dry Eye Care Tips For Contact Lens Wearers
If you suffer from dry eyes, then you may not be producing enough tears to keep your eyes properly lubricated. This can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. In fact, this is a major reason why patients give up wearing contact lenses,
The good news? There are certain tips and solutions for dry eye sufferers that can make wearing contact lenses more comfortable.
1. Talk To Your Optometrist About Eye Drops
If you are finding your contact lenses uncomfortable, talk to your optometrist about possible eye drops, sprays, or washes, that can help alleviate your dry eye symptoms. These can be applied safely when you are wearing your lenses, and provide many benefits, including:
- Better comfort
- Refreshed eyes
- Instant relief from burning or dry eyes
- Replenished eye moisture
While you can get certain eye drops over the counter, it’s always best to consult with your eye doctor first. They can help assess your eye health and specific situation to determine which drops/spray is best suited for you.
Eye Exams For Contact Lens Wearers
2. Add Supplements to Your Diet
It’s no surprise that your diet can affect the health of your eyes, and as part of your dry eye care treatment, your eye doctor may suggest that you take certain supplements, including:
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Vitamin A and C
- Omega 3
All of these supplements have been shown to make a positive change in both the health of your eyes and your overall well-being.
3. Go For a Contact Lens Fitting
To reduce any dry-eye related contact lens discomfort, you must always discuss your lens options with your eye doctor. Why? There are certain contact lenses that retain moisture better, allow for greater wearing comfort, and are more suited for dry eye sufferers.
During a contact lens fitting, your eye doctor may suggest:
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Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses. Made from the latest material, these contact lenses allow up to five times more oxygen to reach your eye than other lenses, making them ideal for dry eye sufferers.
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Low Water Content Contact Lenses. For dry eye sufferers, too much moisture in a lens can draw away the eye’s natural tears, so a lower water content lens may be the better option for you.
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Daily Contact Lenses. Disposable contact lenses are a great option for dry eye sufferers because they can be worn once and thrown away in the evening. This means that no dirt or deposits will build upon the lens and cause irritation.
Contacts For "Hard To Fit" Patients
4. Take Care of Your Contact Lenses Properly
To make sure that your dry eyes are not exacerbated by your contact lenses, you must make sure that you clean your lenses properly. This will prevent any deposits from building up and causing discomfort, or even worse, a serious infection.
During a contact lens fitting, your eye doctor will discuss how to take care of your lenses. However, here are some tips you can follow:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses.
- Never shower or swim with your lenses.
- Avoid rinsing your contact lenses with water.
- If you use a contact lens case, rinse it with solution, not water, and leave it open to dry.
- Replace your contact lens case every 3 months.
- Never wear expired contact lenses.
Find The Perfect Pair of Contact Lenses
At Blink Eyewear, our NW and SW eye doctors can help you find the perfect pair of contact lenses. Whatever your needs, we perform comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings to ensure your vision is always comfortable and clear.
To find out more, visit one of our three branches, Crowfoot (67 Crowfoot Terrace NW, T3G 4J8), West Springs (1009 873 85 St SW, T3H 0J5) or Creekside (12192 Symons Valley Rd NW, T3P 0A3).
Alternatively, you can contact our team at our Crowfoot Branch (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292).