Wearing contact lenses can be a convenient way to correct vision, but the experience is often marred by persistent eye dryness. This discomfort occurs because the lens is a foreign object that interacts with and disrupts the eye’s natural tear film, which keeps the eye lubricated. When this tear film balance is compromised, the contact lens can quickly dehydrate, leading to a gritty, burning sensation and reduced wearing time.
How Contact Lens Material and Fit Cause Dryness
The chemical composition of a contact lens significantly influences how it affects your eye’s moisture. Traditional hydrogel lenses rely on a high water content to transmit oxygen to the cornea, but this water can act like a sponge, drawing moisture directly from your tear film to remain hydrated, which exacerbates dryness. Lenses with a high water content can often feel less comfortable for people prone to dry eyes.
Newer silicone hydrogel lenses address this by using silicone to allow significantly more oxygen to pass through to the eye, even with a lower water content. While this superior oxygen permeability is healthier for the cornea, the silicone component can sometimes make the lens surface less naturally wettable. A proper lens fit is equally important because a lens that is too tight restricts the natural flow and exchange of tears beneath it, trapping debris and stagnant tears. Conversely, a lens that is too loose can move excessively, causing friction against the eyelid and accelerating the evaporation of the tear film.
Environmental and Lifestyle Triggers
External conditions and daily habits play a large role in aggravating contact lens-related dryness. Prolonged use of digital screens is a major factor because intense concentration causes a significant reduction in blink rate. This rate can drop by as much as 50% during screen time, leading to rapid tear film evaporation and lens desiccation.
Environmental factors that reduce air moisture directly contribute to discomfort. Low-humidity environments, such as those caused by forced-air heating, air conditioning, or ceiling fans, accelerate the rate at which tears evaporate from the lens surface. Exposure to airborne irritants like wind, dust, smoke, and pollution can also destabilize the tear film, causing inflammation and irritation that is amplified by the presence of a contact lens.
Underlying Eye Health Conditions
Chronic, severe dryness with contact lenses may indicate an underlying physiological issue that predates lens wear. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a common cause of evaporative dry eye, where the tiny glands lining the eyelids become clogged and fail to secrete enough oil (meibum) into the tear film. Without this oily layer, the watery component of the tears evaporates too quickly, regardless of the contact lens material.
Various systemic medications can also reduce aqueous tear production as an unintended side effect. Anticholinergics, a class that includes many antihistamines and antidepressants, and certain blood pressure medications like beta-blockers, can inhibit the signals that stimulate tear secretion. Hormonal changes, particularly those associated with menopause or the use of certain hormonal therapies, can also affect the composition and quantity of tears, making the eye less capable of keeping a contact lens hydrated.
Immediate Actions for Relief
For immediate relief from dryness, use a rewetting or lubricating drop specifically labeled as contact lens-safe. These drops are formulated to be compatible with lens materials without causing clouding or damage, unlike general artificial tears. Temporarily reduce wear time, switching to glasses when discomfort begins to ensure the eyes can recover their natural moisture balance.
Adhering strictly to the manufacturer’s recommended replacement schedule prevents over-wearing, which causes protein and lipid deposits to build up on the lens surface, increasing friction and dryness. If symptoms persist despite these modifications, consulting an eye care professional is necessary. An optometrist can assess for conditions like MGD, check the lens fit, or recommend a different lens material designed for dry eye patients.