Can Wearing Contact Lenses Worsen Dry Eye?

If you experience dry, irritated eyes, you may wonder whether wearing contact lenses is making the problem worse. Dry eye disease and contact lens discomfort often go hand in hand - but that doesn’t mean contacts are off the table. With the right evaluation, lens selection, and treatment plan, many people with dry eye can wear contact lenses comfortably.

How Contact Lenses Can Contribute to Dry Eye

Contact lenses sit directly on the tear film - the thin layer of moisture that keeps your eyes comfortable and clear. When that tear film is unstable or deficient, lenses can worsen dryness by:

•           Disrupting tear film stability, causing faster evaporation

•           Reducing oxygen flow to the cornea (depending on lens type)

•           Absorbing moisture from the eye, especially with older lens materials

•           Increasing friction between the eyelid and the lens surface

For people who already have dry eye, these factors can lead to burning, redness, fluctuating vision, and lens intolerance.

Can You Still Wear Contacts If You Have Dry Eye?

Yes - many patients with dry eye can still wear contact lenses. The key is choosing lenses specifically designed to retain moisture and support healthy oxygen flow, along with addressing the underlying cause of dryness.

Contact Lens Options for Dry Eye Relief

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are a popular option for dry eye patients because they allow significantly more oxygen to reach the cornea compared to traditional soft lenses. Better oxygen transmission supports corneal health and can reduce dryness-related discomfort. Many silicone hydrogel lenses are also designed with moisture-retaining surfaces to improve all-day comfort.

Scleral lenses are often a game-changer for moderate to severe dry eye. These larger lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye), creating a fluid-filled reservoir that keeps the eye continuously hydrated throughout the day. Scleral lenses can provide exceptional comfort and clarity for patients who struggle with standard contacts.

Treating Dry Eye at the Source with IPL

While specialized contact lenses help manage symptoms, treating the root cause of dry eye is just as important. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is an advanced, in-office treatment designed to improve the function of the meibomian glands - oil-producing glands that prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.

IPL therapy can:

•           Reduce inflammation around the eyelids

•           Improve oil flow in the tear film

•           Decrease tear evaporation

•           Enhance overall comfort with contact lens wear

When dry eye is properly managed with treatments like IPL, many patients find they can return to wearing contact lenses more comfortably and consistently.

Take the First Step Toward Comfortable Contact Lens Wear

Wearing contact lenses doesn’t automatically mean your dry eye will worsen - but the wrong lenses or untreated dryness can make symptoms more noticeable. With modern options like silicone hydrogel and scleral lenses, combined with effective dry eye treatments such as IPL, comfortable contact lens wear is possible for many dry eye sufferers. The most important step is a personalized evaluation to determine the best solution for your eyes.

If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms while wearing contacts, schedule a consultation at SpecTakular Boutique to find the right solution for your needs. Contact our office in Dawsonville, Georgia, by calling (706) 216-7732 to book an appointment today.