It is the most common complaint from contact lens wearers. You put your lenses in during the morning and they feel great. But by the afternoon, your eyes feel scratchy, tired, and dry. You might find yourself blinking hard or rubbing your eyes just to get comfortable.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Dryness is a major issue, especially in Canada. But you do not have to just live with it. Here is why it happens and some simple ways to fix it.
The Main Causes of Contact Lens Dryness
1. The Canadian Climate
Our environment plays a big role. In the winter, the air outside is cold and holds very little moisture. Indoors, we blast the heating, which dries the air out even more. This dry air acts like a sponge, pulling moisture right off the surface of your eye.
2. Digital Eye Strain
Think about your daily routine. Do you spend hours looking at a computer or phone? When we stare at screens, our blink rate drops significantly. We stop blinking fully, which means we stop refreshing the layer of moisture on our eyes. This causes the lens to dry out quickly.
3. Your Lens Material
Not all contact lenses are the same. Older lens materials (hydrogels) rely on high water content to pass oxygen to the eye. Paradoxically, these high-water lenses can sometimes draw moisture out of your eye to stay hydrated in dry environments.
4. Deposit Buildup
If you wear bi-weekly or monthly lenses, proteins and lipids from your tears can build up on the surface over time. This creates a rough surface that disrupts your tear film, leading to that gritty, dry sensation.
Simple Ways to Fix Dry Eyes
You can often solve the problem with a few small changes to your routine or your lens choice.
1. Use Rewetting Drops
Keep a bottle of rewetting drops (artificial tears) handy. Make sure the label says “for contact lenses.” Use them a few times a day to rehydrate the lens. Note: Do not use tap water or standard redness-relief drops, as these can damage your lenses.
2. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
If you work on a computer, give your eyes a break. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This reminds you to blink and reset your focus.
3. Switch to Silicone Hydrogel
Ask your optometrist about silicone hydrogel lenses. These modern lenses are breathable and do not rely as heavily on water content to let oxygen through. They often stay moist longer in dry conditions.
4. Try Daily Disposables
The best way to avoid deposit buildup is to wear a fresh lens every day. Daily disposables (like DAILIES TOTAL1 or ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day) are often the top recommendation for people with dry eyes because you start every morning with a clean, sterile, moisture-rich lens.
The Best Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes
If changing your routine does not help, the issue might be your lens. Technology has improved a lot in recent years. Manufacturers now make lenses specifically designed to hold moisture for 16 hours or more.
Here are the top lenses that we recommend for fighting dryness.
| Lens Name | Replacement | Key Technology | Why It Helps Dry Eyes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAILIES TOTAL1 | Daily | Water Gradient | The surface of this lens is nearly 100% water. It creates a silky cushion of moisture that touches your eye, making it one of the top choices for severe dryness. |
| ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day | Daily | HydraLuxe | This lens material is infused with molecules that mimic your natural tears. It works with your tear film to keep eyes stable and comfortable, even during long screen use. |
| Bausch + Lomb ULTRA | Monthly | MoistureSeal | Designed for the digital age, this monthly lens maintains 95% of its moisture for a full 16 hours. It prevents the lens from drying out after a long day of work. |
| Biofinity | Monthly | Aquaform | This material is naturally wettable and locks in water without needing extra surface coatings. It stays soft and moist, resisting deposits that can cause irritation. |
| PRECISION1 | Daily | SMARTSURFACE | Features a micro-thin layer of moisture on the lens surface that stays stable all day. It is a great option for people who want lasting comfort at a good value. |
Summary of Causes and Solutions
| The Problem | Why it Happens | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor Heating | Heaters remove moisture from the air, especially in winter. | Use a humidifier in your room and carry rewetting drops. |
| Screen Time | You blink much less when staring at computers or phones. | Follow the 20-20-20 rule and make an effort to blink often. |
| Old Lenses | Proteins and deposits build up on monthly lenses over time. | Switch to daily disposable lenses for a fresh pair every day. |
| Wrong Material | Some older lens materials dry out faster in low humidity. | Ask your optometrist for Silicone Hydrogel lenses. |
When to See a Doctor
If you have tried new habits and different lenses but your eyes still feel red, painful, or gritty, you should see your optometrist. It is important to make sure there isn’t an underlying issue like allergies or chronic dry eye disease.
For most people, simply switching to a lens with better moisture technology makes all the difference.
