About half of the 35 million contact lens wearers in the United States suffer from dry-eye symptoms, according to a study by Padmapriya Ramamoorthy and colleagues in an August 2008 issue of "Optometry and Vision Science." The eye condition is a common source of irritation and discomfort that makes wearing contact lenses difficult and troublesome. When left untreated, the condition can have serious health consequences. Knowing how you can prevent and treat dry eyes will help reduce symptoms and improve contact lens comfort.
Identification
Dry eye is a condition in which the eye does not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, causing irritation and a stinging, burning or scratchy feeling, according to the National Eye Institute. Additionally, poor-quality tears -- those that do not contain the right proportion of water, fatty oils and proteins -- can lead to dry eye, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dry eye is the most common complaint among contact lens wearers. It affects about 18 million wearers and causes as many as 20 percent of all wearers to abandon their contact lenses because the symptoms are so severe, Desmond Fonn writes in an April 2007 issue of "Optometry and Vision Science."
Causes
The tear film structure, composed of three layers --- oil, water and mucus --- is crucial for hydrating and lubricating the eyes and preventing infection, the National Eye Institute says. Any change or imbalance in these components can cause dry eye. In contact lens wearers, the lens interferes with this normal tear film structure, causing tears to evaporate more readily and resulting in dry eyes, Fonn says in his article.
Contact lenses may also worsen any dry-eye condition that you had before you started wearing them. The lenses will draw moisture away from your already-dry eyes, says AllAboutVision, a website that provides information on eye health and vision correction. This is particularly true for contact lenses with a high-water content. Environmental factors such as wind, dry air and high altitude draw moisture from these lenses.
Treatment
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses may be a good alternative if you have dry eyes. These lenses allow more oxygen to reach the cornea than their counterparts and are lower in water content, according to AllAboutVision. Your eye doctor may also suggest artificial drops to lubricate the eyes or advise you to wear your lenses for a shorter period of time. Additionally, your doctor may recommend eye drops that help you produce more tears or an insert containing a lubricating ingredient that is placed in the lower eyelid and slowly released to improve dryness symptoms. In severe cases, temporary or permanent silicone or collagen plugs are placed at the inner corners of the eyelids to plug tear drainage holes and improve wetness, according to the National Eye Institute.
Prevention
Avoid dry conditions that may boost tear film evaporation and consider using a humidifier in your home to add moisture to the air, the Mayo Clinic advises. Reduce exposure to wind and dust by wearing sunglasses outdoors, and rest your eyes periodically when you are doing computer work for a long time. Extensive computer work reduces blinking and increases evaporation.
Complications
While complications from dry eye are rare, increased infections and corneal ulcers are possible. Tears protect the eye surface, and when tear production is reduced, more frequent eye infections are possible, MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Science, reports. Similarly, untreated and severe dry eye may cause inflammation, scarring, corneal ulcers and open sores on the cornea.
References
- "Optometry and Vision Science"; Treatment, material, care, and patient-related factors in contact lens-related dry eye; Padmapriya Ramamoorthy et al.; August 2008
- National Eye Institute: Dry Eye
- "Optometry and Vision Science"; Targeting contact lens induced dryness and discomfort: what properties will make lenses more comfortable; Desmond Fonn; April 2007
- AllAboutVision: Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes
- AllAboutVision: Dry Eye Syndrome
