Does having dry eyes annoy you? If yes, we can help you find a solution to this miserable nemesis, which could just be as irritating as your neighbor next door. Let's get over this lifetime discomfort of scratchy and irritated dry eyes with an expert-recommended solution.So check out our FAQ guide if you are also tired of your dry eyes, as these can change your life seriously. This blog will mention the best contact lenses for dry eyes,
eye care routes, causes, and even the treatment of your dry eyes once and all with comfortable vision (oh, yes!)
What are the best contact lenses for dry eyes in 2024?
When you have dry eyes, finding the right eyewear can be challenging. Using a contact lens can be uncomfortable. But not anymore. We can help you choose a
contact lens that can provide moisture and comfort for long-term use.Can you wear contacts with dry eyes? Yes, consider the severity of your dry eye condition and take proper precautions. The best contact lenses for dry eyes are,
Best in Category for Dry eyes | Best Contact Lens |
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Overall, good for dry eyes | Bausch & Lomb ULTRA Contact Lenses |
Best Budget contact lenses for dry eyes | CooperVision Biofinity Contact Lenses |
Best For Screen Users | CooperVision Biofinity Energys |
Best Daily use for dry eyes | Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1 Contact Lenses |
Best Transitional contact lens (with filtering technology) | Acuvue OASYS with Transitions |
Best multifocal contact lenses for dry eyes | Clerio Vision Extreme H2O |
The best contact lens for Astigmatism | Acuvue OASYS for ASTIGMATISM |
Best for Sensitive and dry Eyes | Alcon DAILIES AquaComfort Plus |
Best-colored contact lens | Alcon AIR OPTIX COLORS 2-Pack |
Why are my eyes dry when I wake up?
Waking up with dry eyes can be pretty frustrating. When you wake up, your eyes show possible signs of debris, polluted air, or wind exposure.The dry and gritty sensation could be because you might not have taken a proper eye care routine before bed or just slept with your eyes a little open. Yes, sometimes our eyes do that involuntarily (without our knowing).Here’s how you can find instant relief to your dry eyes,
- Use lubricating ointments before sleeping
- You can also use over-the-counter artificial tears
- Gently massage your eyelids to stimulate tear production
- Use anti-glare when you have long screen hours
The other reasons for dry eyes could be low blink rate, disorders of lid aperture, vitamin A-deficiency, contact lens wear, topical drugs preservatives, ocular surface allergy and more.
How do I diagnose dry eye syndrome in the eyes?
Dry eyes are something we experience quite often but how is it different from dry eye syndrome?
Basis | Dry Eyes | Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) |
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Occurrence | Occasional | Chronic (high-frequency dry eyes) |
Symptoms | Slightly dry, irritated, and itchy | Severe burning sensation due to bare minimum tear production |
Causes | High screen time, or side effects of medications | Hormonal changes, eyelid problems |
Treatment | Artificial teardrops and warm compress | Artificial tears, medication, and lifestyle changes |
Several factors can cause dry eyes but that necessarily does not indicate dry eye syndrome.
- Evaporation of moisture content from the tear film (during blepharitis)
- Decreased tear production due to autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s
- Even sarcoidosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis can cause hindrance to tear glands of our eyes
- Pain sensations around the corneal cell can also signify a dry eye condition.
- One feels decreased sensation in the eye during chronic dry eye
- Long-term contact lens wear also causes dry and irritated eyes
- Viral infections can trigger dry eye symptoms
Basis | Dry Eye | Pink Eye |
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Cause | Lack of tears or poor tear quality | Infection/Inflammation of conjunctiva |
Symptoms | Redness, itchiness, gritty/scratchy feeling, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, blurred vision | Redness, itchiness, gritty/scratchy feeling |
Discharge | No Such discharge | Clear, yellow, or green discharge; crusty eyelids |
Treatment | Artificial tears, anti-inflammatory medications, and lifestyle changes | Antibiotics (bacterial), resolve on own (viral), antihistamines (allergic) |
Prevention | Stay hydrated, reduce screen time, and avoid dry/windy environments | Good hygiene (wash hands, avoid touching eyes) |
Treat dry eyes with what suits you
Usually, in a condition where your eyes fail to produce enough tears or they evaporate pretty quickly, finding a lasting solution that suits your eye may be challenging. Here we have some products that might aid your case ( with better lifestyle use)
1. Moisture Goggles for Dry Eye
Moisture goggles are eyewear best designed for dry eyes. This moisture supplies a humid microclimate around the eyes. The
goggles are specially designed to prevent your tears from evaporating.These are protective wrap-around goggles that are available on Amazon and other marketplaces. Also known by their alternative name, Moisture Chamber Goggles, eye covers are these soft, moldable glasses that just ease your eyes and don't let them dry out in the first place.
2. Heated Eye Masks
Heated eye masks can be a useful aid for people with dry eyes as they unblock any debris, dirt, or clogging of your eyelids and meibomian glands. For example, we have Thermalon dry eye compress, which is easily available to purchase at various marketplaces.Do you know why people are re-buying such stuff over and over again? It's because they work with their non-allergic formula and quick relief. After a quick 10 to 15 minutes of use, you are set for the day. With this amazing moist heat therapy, your eyes can breathe fresh air with no signs of irritation.Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress, Eyeseals, and Warm Compresses made at home are some go-to products you can hinge back on if your eye feels irritated. Also, D.E.R.M. (Dry Eye Relief Mask) is a kind of moist heat compress you can apply for mild dry eye relief in your eyes if they feel gritty.
3. Hydrating sleep mask for dry eyes
Get a hypoallergenic, latex-free, and BPA-free hydrating sleep mask to cure your dry eyes. Once you make an effort to maintain moisture content in your eyes, by using paraben-free eye products and supplying a moist environment, you get relief from floppy eyes.Research online for an adjustable headband custom-fit and CPAP protection hydrating sleep mask to avoid waking up with dry eyes.
4. Similasan Dry Eye Relief
Similasan Dry Eye Relief is an alternative eye drop made with homeopathic techniques. Unlike another artificial teardrop for an instant solution, it is focused on helping one recover from the natural tear. Dry eye relief has a natural healing process for long-lasting relief from dry, irritated, and scratchy eyes.
5. blink eye drops for dry eyes
Blink eye drops are artificial drops used in mild to moderate dry eye syndrome to provide relief from irritation and scratchy sensations. The Blink Tears preservative-free eye drops are expert-tested, instant-soothing eye drops one can consider to relieve dryness.
6. dry eye spray
Dry eye spray is a type of eye product that dry eye patients can consider using if the lipid layer of the tear glands is deficient. The spray spreads phospholipids to the eye so that the tear film can repair the damage to the lipid layer and provide relief from discomfort, irritation, and dryness. Some of the most preferred dry eye sprays on the market, including nasal prescription sprays, are,
- Tyrvaya Nasal Spray for Dry Eye Disease
- Optrex ActiMist 2-in-1 Eye Spray for Dry + Irritated Eyes
7. dry eye wipes
Dry eye wipes are helpful to keep your eyelids and surrounding skin clean. These can wipe out your excess oils, bacteria, or debris on the lids of your eyes. It is considered a hygienic product for dry-eyed people because it retains the hydration of the eyes.Clear C Eyelid Wipes, Optase TTO Eyelid Cleansing Wipes, Systane Lid Wipes, and I-Lid 'N Lash are some of the most popular eye wipes for dry eyes. They serve the purpose of dissolving debris and maintaining the natural moisture content in the eyes.
8. eyelid wash for dry eyes
There are convenient and special eyelid wash products for people with dry eyes. Some of the popular brands selling eyelid washes are Cliradex, Eye Eco, and OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Allergy Eyelid Cleanser.
Why is IPL not a suitable treatment for dry eyes?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is a newly discovered treatment procedure through which the light spectrum can cure your evaporative fry eye ( when moisture content evaporates from the tear film, no matter how much tear it produces to lubricate the corneal surface).It is a heat-inducing procedure through which your dry eyes can be treated. But it can often come with the risk of side effects so know these, as every eye patient going through dry eyes needs to be aware of the risk of IPL.
- Not everyone can find IPL treatment as efficient
- Some potential side effects are skin irritation, eyelash damage, or redness in the eyes
- temporary discomfort exists even if it treats meibomian gland dysfunction
- IPL treatment is costly as it is not covered by insurance
While we know its potential side effects, the medical field is still grateful for the discovery of IPL treatment for dry eyes, as it saves time for people searching for an instant medical cure for dry eyes.Especially when they are tired of using home remedies and medicinal eye drops that take too long to show no or zero results. This FDA-approved IPL (intense pulse light treatment) for eyes is being experimented with and has cured some of the most severe cases of dry eyes.
Can Botox cause dry eyes?
Botox injections may cause dry eye effects as a side reaction. It is because the paralyzingcan potentially cause dry eyes as a side effect. The paralyzing effect of Botox on the muscles around the eyes can impact the normal blinking function, leading to eye irritation and dryness.
Does dry eye cause headaches?
Dry eyes and headaches are consecutive reactions that come with migraines and eye strain. In this
digital era, avoiding screen time (let's say managing) has become a great challenge. When you have an unstable tear film, it can cause symptoms like cluster headaches.You can get rid of the dry eye headaches simply by relaxing yourself. Taking breaks more often from the regular work and blinking between screen time, which we forget the most. If you do not know, autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's syndrome can also cause both dry eyes and headaches.
Can dry eyes cause styes?
A stye is an infection that causes protruding pimple-like outgrowth when the oil-producing gland of the eyes is hindered. Dry eyes are not responsible for styes. In case any debris is clogged in your eyes and inflammation is associated with the dry eye symptom,Dry eyes can irritate our eyelids, which is why you need good hygienic practices if you want to reduce the risk of developing styes.
Can cataracts cause dry eyes?
Cataract surgery can lead to temporary dryness of your eyes. Due to the lack of lubrication in your eyes, chances of irritation can be seen with stinging and burning sensations in your eyes. This may be because of the reduced level of mucin in your eyes.If you take proper postoperative care, then you will find relief. It is suggested that you avoid swimming for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Also, use sunglasses outdoors to reduce the risk of dry eyes after cataract surgery.
Is dry eye contagious?
Dry eye occurs when the tear film acts irregularly in your eyes. This ocular surface disease may indicate tear evaporation and, in turn, result in ocular burning in your eye. You may constantly feel that something is in your eye, which may cause difficulty opening your eyes or having proper visual function.It is not contagious, as it can not be transmitted from one eye to another, like the pink eye infection or the common cold. Ensure proper care, as elevated tear osmolality can be a sign of
concern for your long-term vision.
Can mascara cause dry eyes?
Yes, mascara can cause dry eyes if the product is not suitable for sensitive eyes. Using the same mascara for a long time increases the chance of bacterial infection. The one that is healthy for the eyes is the mascara, which is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.Mascara expires within six months of the opening of the seal. If not tightened properly or closed after use, it can dry out even faster, making it difficult to apply or causing irritation in the eyelashes upon use. That’s why one may catch an allergenic reaction upon the use of mascara, which may cause a gritty and dry sensation.
Can you get LASIK with dry eyes?
LASIK with dry eyes—that does not make sense. If you are diagnosed with dry eyes before your
LASIK surgery, your eye needs to regain moisture, tear quality, and quantity first. After the reevaluation, only when your eyes retain moisture can the non-invasive LASIK process be conducted.If your eyes do not hydrate after lifestyle changes, you can get enough hydration by taking supplements of omega-3 fatty acids and using eye drops. If homeopathic treatment and artificial tears do not retain moisture, then surgical options like punctual plugs may provide relief in cases of severe dry eye. Contact
Vision concern for a more effective treatment plan.