Dry eyes meet daily disposable contacts
We've all experienced dry eyes at one point or another; whether that be allergy, cold, or illness-related, we've been there. However, having dry eyes can become an even more vexing problem when contacts are involved.
Irritated, red, itchy, dry eyes want nothing to do with contact lenses, and can we blame them?
So, how exactly do we combat dry eyes and resolve the conflict between contact lenses and eye dryness?
The best practice is to first speak with your optometrist and get a diagnosis as to why you're experiencing these symptoms in the first place and what you can do to combat dry eyes and continue wearing contacts comfortably.
Side Note: If you require an optometrist, give Hubble's find-a-doctor portal a try and find a Hubble participating doctor near you that can help. Our 'Looking for an optometrist—Hubble can help' blog post can shine more information on our doctor portal.
Why are you experiencing dry eyes?
Your optometrist will be able to diagnose the reason behind your dry eyes and provide helpful information on how to best alleviate your condition.
According to the National Eye Institute, around 5 million Americans suffer from some varying form of dry eye syndrome. Reasons for this can vary, and visiting your doctor for a diagnosis is always your best option.
Here are some causes of dry eyes:
- Damaged tear glands around the eyes
- Hormone changes, especially those associated with menopause
- Certain prescribed medications
- Certain autoimmune diseases
- Damage to the skin around the eyes
- Allergies often cause irritation, redness, and dry eyes
- Aging
- Overusing contact lenses
Symptoms of dry eyes:
- Pain
- Burning sensations and stinging
- Blurred vision
- Gritty feeling in the eyes
- Redness
- Watery eyes
Fret not; you don't have to give up on contacts just yet. Diagnosing and treating the causes that induce dry eyes may help alleviate and cease symptoms so you can keep wearing your favorite brand. In addition, your optometrist may advise you to consider switching your contact lens brand to a more sensitive one.
If the reasoning behind your dry eyes is simply that your eyes just don't like your current contacts, it may also be time to consider switching to daily disposable contact lenses.
Are daily disposable contact lenses a good choice for dry eyes?
Eye health professionals and doctors consider daily disposable contact lenses the best option for individuals who experience discomfort from dry eyes.
Daily disposable lenses are considered a healthier and more comfortable lens-wearing option. They avoid the possible build-up of protein deposits on your lenses that could lead to eye irritation, dryness, and infection.
Some lens wearers have taken to switching to lenses with higher water content in the hopes of solving the dryness symptoms they are experiencing. However, according to a study done by the U.S. National Library of Medicine-National Institute of Health, it was found that high water content lens materials increase the probability of contact lens-related dry eye and have been shown to be associated with significant tear film deposition—lipid deposits on worn contact lenses.
What may reduce the risk to your eyes is limiting the amount of time you wear your contacts to one-a-day lenses—diminishing irritation and dryness.
Dr. Melissa Barnett, a specialist who lectures extensively on dry eye disease, states, "If parameters allow, I encourage all new wearers to start with daily replacement contact lenses. For contact lens patients who are not complaining about [dry eye] discomfort, daily replacement contact lenses may prevent future problems." Read the entire article for further information at AOA.
Proper wear of daily disposable contact lenses may also aid in preventing dry eyes. These lenses should be worn for one day, removed and disposed of at night, and replaced with a new pair of lenses the next day.
Side Note: Never reuse daily disposable contact lenses or sleep with your contacts in, as this can lead to dry eyes, irritation, infection, and, in some cases, eye damage.
Are Hubble's daily disposable contact lenses a good choice for you?
Hubble's daily disposable contact lenses provide all-day comfort, crystal clear vision, are FDA-approved, are thoughtfully and precisely manufactured, and are undeniably affordable.
"Can I afford to switch to daily disposable lenses," shouldn't be a question you have to ask yourself when you're aiming to alleviate your dry eyes? Hubble's one-a-day lenses are barely a dollar a day, making your choice to switch that much more effortless.
Their affordability isn't the only reason to make the switch.
Hubble's lenses are made from FDA-approved methafilcon A hydrogel material—offering all-day comfort, UV protection, a thin edge, and 55% water content. The best part is we provide an easy-to-manage subscription service. Our customer portal makes updating your subscription delivery frequency a breeze.
Don’t just take our word for it; Hubble's trusted medical advisor, Dr. Brian Levy, has expressed his professional opinion on the various added benefits of switching to daily disposable lenses.
"The data is pretty clear in the scientific literature that disposing of contact lenses daily is the safest form of contact lens wear," states Dr. Brian Levy.
Speak with one of our Hubble participating doctors today and schedule a fitting of Hubble daily disposable contacts—we're sure you'll be hooked on Hubble!
Get started with Hubble's contacts for $1 and get on your way to alleviate your dry eyes.
Side Note: If Hubble’s one-a-day lenses don’t cover the prescription you need, check out our sister-site ContactsCart for other daily disposable lenses at affordable prices.
