What are the Best Contacts for Dry Eyes?
Most people experience moments where their eyes feel tired, especially after extended time spent working on a visual task or staring at a cell phone or computer screen. Dry eyes are a fairly common occurrence but what effect does this have on contact lens users?
Dry eyes are a condition where your eyes feel tired, dry, and lacking in moisture. Sometimes the culprit is wearing your prescription contacts for too long causing a lack of oxygen being able to pass through the eye. Dry eyes and discomfort can sometimes be caused by environmental factors (wind, air, allergens) or even medication or other underlying issues.
Fortunately for those who find themselves with chronic dry eyes, contact lenses have been developed designed to retain moisture and provide eye comfort. From silicone hydrogel material to daily disposable lenses, we’re breaking down all the factors you should look out for when choosing the best contact lenses for dry eyes.
Understanding Dry Eyes: Symptoms and Causes
Dry eyes can present with various symptoms, and individuals may experience them to different degrees. If you suspect you have dry eyes, here are some common signs and symptoms to look out for:
* Persistent Dryness or Discomfort - Feeling that your eyes are dry, scratchy, or gritty.
* Redness - Increased redness in the whites of your eyes.
* Burning Sensation - A sensation of burning or stinging in the eyes.
* Excessive Tears - Strangely, some people with dry eyes may experience excessive tearing as a response to the dryness.
* Blurred Vision - Vision may become temporarily blurred, especially during activities that require prolonged focus like reading or using a computer.
* Sensitivity to Light - Increased sensitivity to light may occur.
* Discomfort or difficulty wearing contact lenses.
*Eye Fatigue - Feeling that your eyes are tired, especially after reading, using a computer, or other visually demanding tasks.
Key Features of Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes
Contact lenses designed for individuals with dry eyes often incorporate features to enhance comfort and moisture retention. Here are some traits that make certain contact lenses more suitable for dry eyes:
Material and Water Content
Hydrogel or Silicone Hydrogel
These materials are known for their water retention capabilities, helping to keep the lenses moist.
High Water Content
Lenses with higher water content can be more comfortable for dry eyes, as they are better at retaining moisture.
Breathability
Silicone hydrogel lenses typically offer high oxygen permeability, allowing more oxygen to reach the cornea. Improved oxygen flow can help prevent dryness and discomfort.
Smooth Surface
Lenses with smooth edges and surfaces are less likely to cause irritation or friction, contributing to overall comfort for individuals with dry eyes.
UV Protection
Some lenses come with UV-blocking capabilities, providing additional protection for the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Material Matters: What Your Contacts are Made Of
Contact lenses are made from different materials, and the choice of material can impact how comfortable they are for individuals, especially those with dry eyes. Here are some common materials used in contact lenses and how they may affect people with dry eyes.
Hydrogel lenses are made of a water-absorbing material. They contain varying water content. Classic by Hubble lenses are made from methafilcon A, a hydrogel material boasting 55% water content. Higher water content in hydrogel lenses can be more comfortable for dry eyes, as they may retain moisture better.
Silicone hydrogel lenses are even more breathable than traditional hydrogel lenses, allowing more oxygen to reach the cornea. They have lower water content compared to hydrogel lenses. The increased oxygen permeability of silicone hydrogel lenses can be beneficial for dry eyes, as it helps maintain corneal health. Hubble offers silicone hydrogel lenses in the form of SkyHy by Hubble Contacts. These single-vision soft lenses feature special surface technology to keep moisture locked in for comfortable and hydrated all-day wear.
When it comes to the type of lens, daily disposable lenses are designed for single use and are made from various materials, including hydrogel and silicone hydrogel. The daily replacement schedule can be beneficial for dry eyes, as it reduces the risk of protein and debris buildup, contributing to a more comfortable wearing experience.
Another type of lens, Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contacts are rigid and gas-permeable, allowing oxygen to reach the cornea. They have a lower water content compared to soft lenses. RGP lenses may be more comfortable for some dry eye sufferers because they don't contain water, which can be attractive for those prone to dehydration of hydrogel lenses. However, adaptation to RGP lenses may take some time.
Keeping Eyes Hydrated: Lens Hydration Technologies
The availability of specific updates to lens hydration technologies may vary by brand and type of contact lens. Additionally, advancements in contact lens technology are ongoing, and innovations may be introduced such as the soothing and naturally moisturizing Hydro by Hubble, which reduces friction and heightens comfort with its ultra-slim edges.
Breathability and Comfort: The Role of Oxygen Permeability
Silicone hydrogel materials continue to be refined to provide even higher levels of oxygen permeability. Improved oxygen flow to the cornea helps maintain eye health and may contribute to more comfortable lens wear. This material is the eye doctor’s top choice: 7 out of 10 new prescriptions are for silicone hydrogel contacts.
Exploring Hubble’s Contact Lens Options for Dry Eyes
Hydro by Hubble Contacts: Ultimate Hydration
Experience the soothing and naturally moisturizing Hydro by Hubble, which reduces friction and heightens comfort with its ultra-slim edges, all while being encased in the planet's most compact eco-conscious packaging. These naturally hydrating dailies feature high water content and are made from poly (HEMA-GMA) that naturally attracts and bonds with water molecules to enhance moisture retention
SkyHy by Hubble: Advanced Comfort for Dry Eyes
SkyHy by Hubble Contacts, the latest addition to the Hubble Family. These are our most breathable lenses, crafted from silicone hydrogel to enhance oxygen flow and breathability. Flexible construction molds to the curve of your eye for a snug fit and a smart multi-curvature design to prevent unwanted movement—even when you blink.
Choosing the Right Contacts: Tips for Dry Eye Sufferers
The best contacts for dry eyes are based on your individual lifestyle and wear schedule. Wearing dailies is one way to ensure a fresh pair of lenses each time. Given that dailies are only meant to be worn for one day, this helps enhance comfort and lower the chances of dry eyes. Consider switching to dailies for a trial period as you’ll also have a shorter period in which to try out the lens’s intended span.
Also, remember to wear your contacts for their intended scheduled use to decrease your chances of dry eyes.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses: The Best Choice for Dry Eyes
Daily contact lenses offer several advantages for individuals with dry eyes, including hygiene benefits and reduced irritation.
Fresh and Sterile - Daily contact lenses are designed for single use, meaning you discard them at the end of each day. This eliminates the need for cleaning and storing overnight. Start each day with a fresh, sterile pair of lenses. For individuals with dry eyes, this can reduce the risk of irritation caused by the accumulation of debris, protein, and other deposits on the lens.
Improved Comfort - The absence of protein and debris buildup on daily lenses can contribute to improved comfort throughout the day. For individuals with dry eyes, this helps maintain a smooth lens surface, reducing the sensation of dryness and irritation.
Convenient for Travel - Daily lenses are convenient for travel. You eliminate the need to carry bulky lens cases and cleaning solutions. This can be especially beneficial for individuals with dry eyes who may prefer a straightforward lens-wearing experience while on the go.
Reduced Risk of Infections - You can minimize the risk of infection with daily lenses since lenses are discarded regularly, reducing the chance of bacterial or microbial contamination. This is important for maintaining eye health, especially for individuals with dry eyes who may be more susceptible to infections.
Experience the Comfort of Hubble Contacts
At times you may experience eye dryness – this is a fact whether you wear contact lenses or not. A great practice to reduce overall eye dryness is to follow the contact lens disposal schedule. Daily disposable contact lenses are a great choice since it is one of the safest and most comfortable ways to wear contacts.
A Hubble Contacts subscription ensures that you receive fresh lenses regularly according to your prescribed replacement schedule. For those experiencing dry eyes, a subscription helps maintain optimal eye health and vision correction. With Hubble, you can choose the cadence in which your lenses are delivered, so you’ll never end up with too many or too few lenses no matter how often you wear them.
At Hubble, we feature a range of daily disposable contact lenses to meet the needs of all types of wearers. Our daily contact lens personalized subscription changed the way people receive and wear contacts, and we’ve expanded our contact lens offerings over the years to accommodate an even wider range of vision needs.
