| Contact lenses and dry eyes are two things | | | | lenses are only about 30% water - which is |
| that by no means used to go in concert. It | | | | much less than the 50% to 60% of traditional |
| used to be that having dry eyes predestined, | | | | lenses, and the 70% of soft contact lenses. |
| in simple words, incapability to wear contact | | | | In addition, the new polymers used in the |
| lenses. Today things are different, contact | | | | contact lenses keep the lens clammy. |
| lenses in addition to dry eyes can and do go | | | | |
| very well together. Having dried eyes merely | | | | Varieties of Contact Lenses Used for Dry |
| means that you may have to evaluate a variety | | | | Eyes: |
| of lenses before finding the right kind for | | | | |
| you. A competent contact lens fitter should | | | | Soft contact lens manufacturers have |
| be able to find a comprehensive lens that | | | | developed materials that are designed |
| will work well for most any eye, even dry | | | | specifically to stay hydrated while on a dry |
| eyes. | | | | eye. Lenses such as the Proclear Compatibles, |
| | | | Extreme H2O, work wonders in a dry eye |
| Results of Dry Eyes: | | | | environment. Each lens is made from a only |
| | | | one of its kind proprietary plastic that |
| Dyes eyes causes dry eye syndrome, due to | | | | retains water content, hydration, and/or |
| lack of blinking in contact lens wearers, can | | | | shape all the way through the day. Rigid gas |
| cause blurring and uneasiness to them. For | | | | permeable lenses also work very well on dry |
| contact lens wearers, it is advisable that | | | | eyes. An RGP lens is made of a rigid plastic |
| they blink once every 4 to 5 seconds to keep | | | | that does not absorb as much solution as a |
| their lens from drying. Other than the lack | | | | soft lens. Therefore, RGP lenses do not |
| of blinking, some types of contact lenses can | | | | dehydrate on an eye, which is what causes dry |
| also cause dry eye syndrome. Generally, soft | | | | eye discomfort. RGP can made of a number of |
| contact lenses are made of polymers and | | | | plastics, including some that are extremely |
| water, with up to 70% water at times. You | | | | oxygen permeable and some that have a very |
| feel relaxed as long as the lens is moist, | | | | low wetting angle. A low wetting angle means |
| but as the day progresses the water | | | | the lens will feel moist while being worn. |
| evaporates. The lens absorbs the tears from | | | | |
| the eyes to remain moist, but leaves you with | | | | Switch To Different Contact Lenses |
| a feeling of dry eyes. It is known that the | | | | |
| more water the lens contains, the more it is | | | | If you wish, you can still switch to a |
| prone to lose its moisture. | | | | different brand of contact lenses. It is said |
| | | | that effective contact lenses for dry eyes |
| As dry eyes are a serious problem with | | | | are those that are made of the newer, more |
| contact lens wearers, many manufacturers are | | | | oxygen permeable silicone hydro gel |
| frequently trying to produce contact lenses | | | | materials. If you have dry eyes and your |
| that will be comfortable for people with dry | | | | current contact lenses do not feel too at |
| eyes. One way, it has been found, is to | | | | ease, there is no need to live with the |
| reduce the water content of the lens. Some | | | | anxiety. You can confer with your doctor and |
| people have responded well to the new hydro | | | | switch to ones that will give you console. |
| gel contact lenses. Modern silicon hydro gel | | | | |