If your eyes feel dry, gritty, or irritated when you wear contact lenses, especially in Calgary’s dry climate, it may be more than just lens discomfort. Many contact lens wearers experience dry eye symptoms without realizing it’s a treatable condition. At Blink Eyewear, we offer personalized contact lens fittings and full dry eye assessments to uncover the real cause of your irritation. With clinics in Crowfoot, West Springs, and Creekside, we also provide advanced in-office treatments like Revital-Eyes IPL and RF therapy to help you wear your lenses comfortably again. Contact us to book your exam today to see (and feel) better.
Are Your Contact Lenses Drying Out Your Eyes?
Wearing contact lenses shouldn’t feel like a daily struggle. But for many Calgary residents, lenses cause dry, uncomfortable, or irritated eyes — especially in the fall and winter months when humidity drops and indoor heating increases.
While it’s easy to assume you just need a different lens brand or rewetting drops, the real issue could be dry eye disease — a condition that affects how your tear film supports your contact lenses.
At Blink Eyewear, we help you figure out whether your lenses are the problem — or whether your eyes need treatment to support long-term contact lens comfort.
Dry Eye and Contact Lenses: The Hidden Connection
Contact lenses rest directly on the tear film, the thin layer of moisture that protects and lubricates your eyes. When that layer is compromised by dry eye, your lenses can start to feel:
- Sticky or gritty
- Dry after only a few hours
- Like they move or “catch” when you blink
- Impossible to wear all day
In Calgary’s dry climate, this is a common issue. Tear evaporation is faster in low humidity, and indoor heat can make symptoms worse. Add in screen time — which reduces blinking — and you’ve got the perfect storm for lens-related dryness.
Signs Your Dry Eyes Are Affecting Lens Comfort
You may be dealing with dry eye if you experience:
- Burning or itching while wearing lenses
- Redness that worsens as the day goes on
- Blurred vision that clears when you blink
- Frequent use of rewetting drops
- Inability to wear contacts for a full day
Many patients live with these symptoms, thinking they just need to “adjust” to contact lenses, when in reality, they need a dry eye assessment.
How Blink Eyewear Can Help
At Blink Eyewear, we specialize in helping contact lens wearers find real comfort — not just temporary fixes.
Here’s how:
- Dry Eye Assessments
We examine your tear production, tear quality, and oil gland function to diagnose whether dry eye is making your contacts uncomfortable.
- Revital-Eyes IPL & RF Therapy
In-office treatments that reduce inflammation and improve oil gland performance — ideal for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, a top cause of lens-related dryness.
- Personalized Lens Fittings
We recommend lenses based on your lifestyle, eye health, and dryness levels. Daily disposables, silicone hydrogel lenses, and scleral lenses may all offer better comfort.
- Home & Lifestyle Advice
From blinking techniques to humidifier use and screen time strategies, we guide you through changes that can help your eyes retain moisture longer.
Don’t Let Dry Eyes Ruin Your Contact Lens Experience
You don’t have to choose between clear vision and comfort. Whether you’re new to contacts or have worn them for years, Blink Eyewear can help you find the right lens fit, and treat any underlying dryness affecting your eyes. Contact us to book your dry eye assessment or contact lens exam today at one of our Calgary locations in Crowfoot, West Springs, or Creekside.