It can be hard to wear contacts when your eyes feel dry or irritated. With the right guidance and lens choice, contact lenses can still be a comfortable, effective option, even for dry, sensitive eyes.
Why Dry Eyes and Contact Lenses Sometimes Clash
Many patients come to us at Midwest Eye Associates saying things like, “I want contacts, but my eyes always feel scratchy by the afternoon,” or “Glasses are fine, but I miss wearing contacts.” Often, this discomfort stems from dry eye, a condition affecting millions, especially in climates where heating, air‑conditioning, allergens, or dry air disrupt tear production.
Standard soft contact lenses rest directly on the cornea, which can interfere with the tear film and lead to irritation when natural lubrication isn’t adequate. For people prone to dry eye, that often leads to redness, itchiness, fluctuating vision, or dryness - even if their prescription is correct.
Rather than giving up on contact lenses entirely, many patients find success by switching to specialized lenses or using additional care strategies.
What Causes Dry Eyes and Contact Lens Discomfort
Dry eye arises when your tears aren’t keeping the surface of your eye properly lubricated. Contributing factors include:
- Decreased tear volume or poor tear film quality
- Environmental conditions (air‑conditioning, heating, low humidity)
- Allergies or irritants
- Age‑related changes in tear production
- Frequent screen time, which reduces blink rate and increases evaporation
When you overlay contact lenses on top of that, especially soft lenses that rest on the cornea, the eye’s surface becomes more vulnerable to dryness and discomfort. That’s why many wearers stop using contacts when dry eye symptoms arise.
Contact Lens Options That Can Help with Dry Eye
If you’ve struggled with soft contacts due to dryness, there are several options worth discussing with your eye doctor:
Specialty Lenses: Scleral Lenses
- Scleral lenses rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera) and vault over the cornea, creating a fluid-filled reservoir that keeps the ocular surface continuously hydrated.
- For many dry‑eye patients, particularly those whose symptoms don’t respond well to drops or conventional lenses, scleral lenses offer clear, stable vision and sustained comfort all day.
- They also shield the cornea from environmental irritants like wind, dust, or dry indoor air.
Daily-Wear or Moisture-Retaining Soft Lenses
- For mild-to-moderate dryness, newer soft lens materials and daily‑wear schedules (rather than extended wear) can reduce tear film disruption. Proper lens hygiene and limiting wear time help maintain comfort.
Each lens type requires a careful fitting and follow-up, a process our team at Midwest Eye Associates is trained to manage.
How to Make Contact Wear More Comfortable - Dry Eye Friendly Habits
Wearing contacts successfully with dry eyes often means combining the right lens with healthy habits. Here’s what helps:
- Use lubricating eye drops (preferably preservative‑free) to supplement natural tears. Many patients benefit from this, especially in dry or air‑conditioned environments.
- Avoid wearing lenses for overly long periods, consider glasses for extended screen time or hobbies that strain the eyes.
- Clean and care for lenses exactly according to instructions, skipping cleaning or overwearing can worsen irritation or increase risk of infection.
- Consider seasonal factors: dry winter air, pollen, indoor heating, all of these can aggravate dryness. Adjust your lens use accordingly.
- Schedule regular check‑ups so your eye doctor can monitor ocular surface health, tear film quality, and overall eye comfort.
Who Benefits Most from Dry Eye–Friendly Contact Options
You might be a good candidate for dry‑eye–optimized contact lenses if you:
- Experience dryness, scratchiness, or foreign‑body sensations when wearing contacts.
- Regularly sit in air‑conditioned or heated rooms.
- Spend hours on screens (remote work, streaming, gaming), blinking slows on screens, which can worsen dryness.
- Have previously tried soft contacts and stopped because of discomfort.
- Need contact lenses for work or active lifestyles but want comfort and clear vision.
At Midwest Eye Associates, we help patients of all ages, from teenagers to seniors, find the right balance between vision correction and eye comfort.
Why Opt for Contact Lenses Instead of/Alongside Glasses
Many people assume that once dry eye develops, they must go back to glasses only. But that’s not always necessary—and often not ideal. Contact lenses can offer:
- Full, unobstructed vision (no frames in peripheral view)
- Convenience for sports, social events, or active days
- Balanced vision correction when paired with advanced lens options or moisture‑retaining designs
With the right approach, contact lenses become more than a convenience — they become a comfortable, viable vision solution again.
How Midwest Eye Associates Supports Patients with Dry Eye & Contact Lens Needs
At Midwest Eye Associates, we don’t just hand out contact lenses—we guide you to the right choice. Here’s how we support patients:
- Comprehensive eye exams to assess tear film, ocular surface health, and suitability for contact lens wear
- Specialized fittings for scleral lenses or moisture‑optimized contacts
- Personalized care plans: lens recommendations, cleaning regimens, lubricants, and follow‑up support
- Guidance on combining glasses and contacts for different activities (e.g., glasses for long screen sessions, contacts for active days or weekends)
If you want to read more about dry eye treatments, check our Dry Eye page. For lens options, visit our Contact Lenses page.
When to Schedule an Appointment at Midwest Eye Associates
If you’re tired of the “contact vs. dry eye” dilemma, or if you’ve stopped wearing lenses because of irritation, now might be the time for a re-evaluation. Especially if you experience persistent dryness, blurred vision, redness, or discomfort when wearing lenses.
Call us or book an eye exam at Midwest Eye Associates. Let’s find the contact lens solution that fits your lifestyle, without compromising comfort.