Artificial tears are lubricating eye drops designed to moisten the eye’s surface and relieve dryness. While they supplement natural tear production, their compatibility with contact lenses is not automatic. You can use drops to relieve dryness, but only if they are specifically formulated for use with your contact lenses. Using the wrong type can lead to lens clouding, discomfort, or damage to the lens material. Selecting a compatible solution is necessary to maintain both lens integrity and ocular health.
Understanding the Difference: Artificial Tears vs. Re-wetting Drops
Standard artificial tears and contact lens re-wetting drops are not interchangeable, even though both relieve dryness. Artificial tears treat dry eye symptoms and are generally not tested or approved for direct use on contact lenses. These drops often contain ingredients intended to interact with the natural tear film. Re-wetting drops, in contrast, are specifically engineered to be safe for use while the contact lens is still in the eye. These solutions are isotonic, meaning they have a salt concentration similar to natural tears, and are designed to rehydrate the lens material without causing buildup or damage.
Why Standard Tears Are Problematic
Standard artificial tears contain ingredients that can bind to the porous structure of soft contact lenses. This binding can cause the lens to become cloudy, leading to blurred vision and irritation. Using an incompatible drop can also alter the lens’s shape or water content, compromising its fit and comfort. Regulatory standards for re-wetting drops are stricter, requiring testing to ensure biocompatibility with various lens materials. Always look for labeling that explicitly states the product is safe for use with contact lenses.
Ingredients to Avoid When Wearing Lenses
The primary concern with using non-compatible drops is the presence of chemical components that interact negatively with contact lens material. Preservatives, especially benzalkonium chloride (BAK), are common problematic ingredients found in multi-dose bottles of standard artificial tears. BAK is known to be toxic to the eye’s surface and can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Once absorbed, BAK is slowly released onto the cornea and conjunctiva, leading to irritation, redness, and potential damage to ocular tissue.
Preservative-Free and Viscosity Agents
For individuals who use lubricating drops multiple times daily, preservative-free options are recommended to avoid cumulative exposure. These drops are typically packaged in single-use vials to maintain sterility. Thicker eye drops or gels often contain viscosity agents like mineral oil or certain polymers. These viscous ingredients can coat the lens surface, causing significant fogging and interfering with the lens’s ability to transmit oxygen to the cornea. Drops designed to reduce eye redness should also be avoided, as they can deposit on the lens surface and potentially cause rebound redness.
Proper Application and Usage Guidelines
Proper technique is necessary when using re-wetting drops to ensure comfort and hygiene. Begin by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water to prevent the transfer of bacteria. Use the drops proactively, before your eyes feel noticeably dry, rather than waiting for severe discomfort. Apply one or two drops per eye while tilting your head back, pulling down the lower eyelid, and looking up. Be careful not to let the bottle tip touch your eye or the lens.
Lens Type Considerations
After application, close your eye gently for a few moments to allow the solution to spread across the lens surface. This brief moment helps the product fully lubricate the lens and the space beneath it. While soft contact lenses are sensitive to ingredient absorption, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are generally more resistant to preservative binding. Nevertheless, RGP wearers should still use drops specifically labeled as compatible with their lens type for optimal performance.
When Lens Discomfort Signals a Larger Problem
Re-wetting drops manage occasional dryness and mild discomfort, but they are only a temporary solution. Persistent symptoms such as unremitting dryness, sharp pain, excessive redness, or a gritty sensation that does not improve after using compatible drops may signal a more serious underlying issue. Continuing to self-treat with drops in these situations can delay professional diagnosis and treatment. Prolonged discomfort might be caused by factors like an incorrect lens fit, a developing eye infection, or an underlying medical condition such as severe dry eye syndrome. If the irritation persists after removing the lenses, or if you experience any change in vision, immediately remove your contacts and seek consultation with an eye care professional. An optometrist or ophthalmologist can properly diagnose the cause of the discomfort and provide appropriate medical treatment.