Dry eyes may seem like a small issue,
but it can be annoying or downright impossible to wear contact lenses
if you suffer from it. Even though eyes tend to become drier as a
person ages, numerous causes for dry eyes exist.
Farsightedness and astigmatisms cause
imperfections in the eye's curvature and focusing ability, which, in
turn, can cause dry eyes. Dry eyes can be side effects of certain
health conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Even
something simple like sitting in front of a computer screen can cause
this issue.
However, if you have dry eyes
accompanied by eyelid inflammation, you may want to visit an
ophthalmologist to check for blepharitis.
What Is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is an inflammatory
condition where the glands around eyelashes clog. Besides causing dry
eyes, you may have:
- Lack of eyelashes from rubbing
- Irregularly growing eyelashes
While blepharitis can be from a
dysfunction with oil glands around your eye, it can also be from:
- Eyelash mites from old makeup or
dirty pillows
- Skin conditions like rosacea or
seborrheic dermatitis
- Allergies (some people are
allergic to their contact solution)
- Bacteria, like those that cause
staph infections
Your eye doctor can prescribe eye drops
that can help ease the blepharitis. If your blepharitis is from
bacteria, then you may need antibiotics. Be sure to throw out any old
makeup, and avoid wearing any eye shadow or mascara while your eyes
heal.
Once your dry eyes heal, then you can
start wearing contact lenses again. In the meantime, wear
prescription glasses.
What If You Want Contacts But Are
Prone to Blepharitis and Dry Eyes?
Even if you take good care of your
eyes, you just might be more susceptible to this condition if you
have bad allergies or an autoimmune disease.
Thankfully, contacts exist on the
market that can be good solutions to your dry eyes. Different contact
brands have varying levels of wetness. Ironically, the wetter the
contacts, the drier your eyes can become. This happens because these
contacts will draw moisture from your eye to maintain their wetness.
So, ask your doctor about contacts that don't need as much water.
Gas permeable (GP) lenses can be great
options for people prone to blepharitis and dry eyes. These contacts
are easy to clean and disinfect, so your risk of a bacterial
infection will decrease. GP lenses also reduce the chances of dry
eyes since oxygen is able to pass through these contacts and reach
your cornea.
GP lenses do take some getting used to.
Soft lenses are large and tuck under upper and lower eyelids, so you
don't feel them when you blink. GP lenses, on the other hand, are
usually smaller, and so you may feel the contacts at first until you
get used to them.
But if you suffer from blepharitis,
smaller contact lenses can be better since they won't rub on the
inside of your eyelids. Since blepharitis causes inflammation and
itchiness, a larger lens could be irritating and cause you to rub
your eyes more.
Can You Wear Contact Lenses All the
Time?
If the blepharitis is treated fully,
then your doctor may say that you can return to wearing contact
lenses full time. But if you know you are prone to the condition,
then you may need to make some compromises to reduce the risk of dry
eyes.
For instance, you may have worn your
contacts all day in the past, but you may need to compromise and
change into glasses once you get home from work or school.
When working on a computer, you may
want to wear your glasses to reduce eye strain. If you want to wear
your contacts while working on a computer, follow the 20-20-20 rule.
This is where you give your eyes a break every 20 minutes and look at
an object that's about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Set a timer on
your phone so you don't forget.
Contact
Calvert Ophthalmology Center for more information on contact
lenses and continuing eye care.
