Dry eyes affect millions of Americans each year. Unfortunately, contacts can exacerbate or cause dry eye. However, some types of contacts can help with dry eye.
At South Center Eye Clinic in Tukwila, WA, our optometrist treats a variety of eye conditions, including dry eye and vision correction.
Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry eyes can cause itching, burning, and eye irritation. You may feel like there's something in your eye. Dry eyes can also affect your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurry, or find yourself squinting.
Types of Contacts for Dry Eye
The type of contact lenses that is right for you will depend on several factors. These include your eye condition or vision problem, lifestyle and preferences, and the severity of your dry eye.
The most common types of contacts for dry eye include:
- Soft contact lenses
- Daily disposables
- Scleral lenses
Soft Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses are the most common type prescribed by eye doctors today. They also tend to be the most comfortable. Many are made from silicone hydrogel. This reduces redness, dryness, and cornea irritation.
Daily Disposables
Daily disposables are a type of soft contact lenses that are disposed of at the end of each day. Because you put in a new pair every morning, you avoid the build-up of oil and other substances, which can contribute to dry eye.
Daily disposables are also a good choice if you have difficulty remembering to store your lenses properly.
Scleral Lenses
If you need or prefer hard contact lenses, scleral lenses are the best option for dry eye. These are usually the best choice for contacts if you also have severe dry eye.
This type of lens doesn't touch the cornea like other lenses do. Instead, it rests on the scleral, or white, part of the eye, creating a bubble over the cornea. The inside of the lens, picture the inside of the bubble, also contains hydrating fluid, which helps to moisturize your eye.
Working with an Optometrist
While it's important to understand your options, when deciding which contact lens is best, you'll need to discuss it with your doctor of optometry.
Your optometrist may begin with an eye exam. Eye exams are an important part of eye care. When it comes to contact lenses, you may also need a contact lens fitting. This ensures that your contacts fit properly and that you have the right contact lenses for your needs.
Contacts for Dry Eye at South Center Eye Clinic
If you need an eye doctor in Tukwila, WA, contact South Center Eye Clinic at (206) 431-8770. We treat a wide variety of conditions, including cataracts. We offer comprehensive eye exams, provide glasses and contacts for vision correction, and specialize in hard-to-fit contact lenses.
