Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes

If you are like millions of other people who think contact lenses and dry eyes do not go together, you might be in for a surprise. 

It is estimated that approximately 8-10 million people suffer from dry eyes.  There are two main categories of people who suffer from dry eyes; those whose dry eyes are a condition of the eye, and those whose dry eyes are a product of their environment. 

For those in the first category, there are multiple causes for dry eyes.  Aging is a common factor; as we age, our tear ducts literally dry up.  Other people are born with a lessened ability to manufacture tears and keep their eyes moist.  Some people who have worn contacts or rubbed their eyes for many years may have created their problem; by literally causing abrasions on the cornea and rubbing off the microscopic structures that make tear production possible. 

For many other people, however, their dry eye problems are due to factors in their environment.  People who work or spend a lot of time outdoors experience dry eyes from the wind, sun, and particles in the air.  Others who sit inside all day and stare at a computer screen or read fine print may also experience dry eyes, because the eyes are straining and this decreases the ability to produce tears. 

One of the main causes of dry eyes is the wearing of contact lenses.  This is because contact lenses are made of a certain percentage of water.  Throughout the day (or when in environments that are not friendly to contact lenses), water evaporates from the lens; then the lenses react by absorbing water from the eye to compensate for the dehydration.  Contact lenses also block some amounts of oxygen from reaching the cornea, which hinders the eye's ability to produce tears.  In addition, many people use the wrong contact lense solution with their lenses, which results in dry and irritated eyes.  This is why contact lenses and dry eyes often go hand in hand. 

However, with advances in contact lens technology, there are now numerous contact lenses for dry eyes.  Many brands have designed lenses specifically for dry eyes, to ensure that the lens does not make a natural condition even worse. 

This is due to Proclear's patented PC Technology, which means that the lenses contain molecules of phosphorylcholine (PC), a natural substance found in human cell membranes.  This protects the lenses from build-up and from drying out; allowing them to retain moisture and reduce build up of dirt and other deposits.  Proclear lenses not only ensure that contact lenses and dry eyes can work together, but that they work together to create clear vision and comfortable wear. 

If you have concerns about contact lenses and dry eyes, give Proclear contact lenses a try.  You just might be pleasantly surprised! If you want to keep current with the site updates, subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss any of the news!

Other Topics to read:
Contact lenses and dry eye syndrome
Dry Eyes and Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes