If your eyes get dry easily, then you may think that you can only wear glasses since contacts may be too uncomfortable. Thankfully, there are some things you can do so that you can wear contacts without irritation. First, you'll want to visit your optometrist to make sure that your dry eyes aren't a symptom of an underlying issue. Here are some other tips that can help you
Look at Specialty Contacts
This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how many different contact brands there are on the market. Let your optometrist know that your first priority is to find contacts that work well with people with dry eyes. For instance, you could get gas-permeable lenses that are flexible and allow oxygen to pass through to keep the cornea from drying out too much. You could also try scleral lenses; while these contact lenses are larger in size, they are custom-fit to each patient for maximum comfort.
Talk With Your Doctor About Medication Alternatives
Some medications, like beta blockers, antihistamines, dermatologic drugs, and antidepressants, can cause dry eyes as a side effect. If you are currently taking any medications, take a look at the side effects to see if they could be the root cause of your dry eyes. Consult with your doctor to see if there are viable medication alternatives; a change in medication could be enough to reduce dry eyes and make your contacts more comfortable.
Go Easy on the Eye Drops
While the occasional use of eye drops can provide relief for dry eyes, using these types of products too often can lead to rebound hyperemia. Basically, rebound hyperemia is a condition where your eyes become dependent on the active ingredients in eye drops and start to depend on them. So if you overuse eye drops and then stop the usage, your eyes could become very red and feel drier than before. Ask your optometrist about eye drop usage and frequency for more information.
Drink More Water
Your dry eyes could simply be a symptom of dehydration. While eye drops can temporarily alleviate symptoms, it's a better idea to focus on your daily water intake. If you know you are drinking enough water, watch out for things like caffeine, alcohol, or excess sodium, which all cause dehydration.
Keep all these tips in mind when purchasing and wearing contact lenses. Reach out to an optometrist for more details.
There are a number of medical professionals who you should be seeing on a regular basis, but one that tends to be forgotten about is the optometrist. Even if you do not have trouble seeing clearly, it's a good idea to get an eye exam every year or two, just to ensure nothing is amiss. After all, optometrists do more than prescribe glasses. They can also diagnose conditions like glaucoma and cataracts, which are easier to manage when detected early.
If you would like to learn a little more about what happens when you see the optometrist and why this is so important, read the articles on this website. They're all dedicated to optometry and eye health.