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Best Contacts for Dry Eyes

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Posted on by Dr. Carol Venn

Key Takeaways

  • Dry eyes with contacts can feel gritty, watery, or blurry by the end of the day.
  • Wind, screen time, and indoor heating or cooling can make dryness worse.
  • Daily disposables, silicone hydrogel, and scleral lenses can help keep your eyes comfortable.
  • Lens material, water content, and oxygen flow all shape how your eyes feel.
  • A contact lens fitting is essential to match lenses to your eye shape and daily routine.

If you have dry eyes, you know the feeling all too well—that scratchy, gritty sensation that can make everyday tasks uncomfortable. Many people with dry eye symptoms wonder whether contact lenses are a good option at all—and the honest answer is: it depends.

While contact lenses can work for some people, dry eye disease often makes lens wear more challenging. In many cases, discomfort, fluctuating vision, or irritation can outweigh the convenience contacts are meant to provide. Understanding your options—and limitations—is an important first step.

Can You Wear Contacts With Dry Eyes?

Dry eye doesn’t mean that your contact lens journey is over before it starts. However, dry eye can make contact lens wear more challenging, and success varies from person to person. Some people with mild dry eye symptoms are able to wear contact lenses comfortably, while others may experience irritation or limited wearing time.

The trick is to find a lens that works with your eyes, not against them—and to recognize when contacts may not be the best solution.

There are many different kinds of contact lenses. Some are made with materials that aim to retain moisture, while others are designed to allow more oxygen to pass through. Your optometrist will help determine whether any of these options are appropriate based on your tear quality and eye health.

What to Look for in Contacts for Dry Eye

When you’re searching for comfortable contacts, a few key features can make a difference for patients who are suitable contact lens candidates. Here’s what to look for:

Lens Material & Moisture

Not all contact lenses are created equal. Some are made from materials like silicone hydrogel that are designed to retain moisture. This can help your eyes feel more comfortable from the moment you put your lenses on during wear.

Think of it like a tiny sponge that’s always moist. These materials work with your eye’s tear film to create a smooth surface, reducing friction and irritation. This constant hydration is a game-changer for people with dry eyes.

High Oxygen Permeability

Your eyes need to breathe to stay healthy, and that means they need oxygen. Lenses with high oxygen permeability allow more oxygen to reach the surface of your eye. This is important for maintaining eye health and comfort.

For some people with dry eye, increased breathability can help reduce redness and discomfort—though oxygen alone does not address all causes of dryness.

A Professional Contact Lens Fit

A contact lens that doesn’t fit properly can slide around, cause irritation, and make dryness worse. At St. Marys Optometry, we do more than just check your prescription—we measure the curve and size of your eyes and assess your tear film and eyelid health to help determine the most comfortable option for your vision.

Contact Lenses & Dry Eye: Setting Realistic Expectations

While some people with dry eye can wear contact lenses successfully, others may find that lenses increase discomfort or dryness over time. In many cases, addressing dry eye itself—rather than changing lenses—can lead to better long-term comfort and vision.

Your optometrist may recommend limiting contact lens wear, using glasses, or focusing on dry eye management first.

Daily vs. Monthly Lenses for Dryness

The schedule you choose for replacing your lenses—daily or monthly—can also impact comfort. Each option has its own set of benefits, especially when it comes to managing dry eye. Let’s look at which one might be right for you.

The Benefits of Daily Disposables

Daily lenses offer the ultimate convenience and a clean, fresh start every morning. Because you dispose of them each night, there’s no chance for deposits like proteins or allergens to build up, which reduces potential causes of irritation.

For some patients, daily disposables are a more comfortable and lower-maintenance option when contact lenses are appropriate.

When Monthly Lenses Might Work

If you prefer a monthly replacement schedule, there are still options available. Modern monthly lenses are made with moisture-retaining materials, but they require consistent and proper cleaning.

With a proper cleaning routine, monthly lenses can be a comfortable and cost-effective option. We can help you find a monthly lens that provides the hydration your eyes need.

Tips for More Comfortable Contact Lens Wear

Choosing the right lens is important, but daily habits also play a role in comfort—especially for people prone to dryness.

  • Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: When you’re using a screen, take a break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple exercise, known as the 20-20-20 rule, helps you blink more fully and naturally, which rehydrates your eyes.
  • Use Rewetting Drops: Not all eye drops are safe for contacts, so ask us about rewetting drops made specifically for contact lens wearers. A few drops can provide a quick moisture boost when you need it most.
  • Stay Hydrated & Use a Humidifier: Drinking plenty of water is good for your whole body—and that includes your eyes. Running a humidifier in your home or office can also add moisture to the air, which helps slow down tear evaporation and combats common causes of dry eye.

Dry Eye Treatment Options at St. Marys Optometry

For many patients, improving dry eye symptoms starts with treating the condition itself—not just changing contact lenses. At St. Marys Optometry, we offer a range of dry eye management options tailored to the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms.

  • Prescription eye drops may be recommended to help reduce inflammation, improve tear quality, or increase natural tear production. These treatments are designed to address dry eye at the source and support long-term comfort.
  • Oral medications can play a role in managing dry eye, particularly when inflammation or underlying health factors are contributing to symptoms. Your optometrist will determine whether this approach is appropriate based on your overall eye health and medical history.
  • Lifestyle changes are also an important part of dry eye management. This may include adjusting screen habits, improving hydration, managing environmental triggers, or modifying daily routines that contribute to dryness. Small changes can make a meaningful difference in how your eyes feel day to day.

By addressing dry eye directly, many patients experience clearer vision, improved comfort, and greater flexibility when considering vision correction options.

Your Next Step for Clear & Comfortable Vision

You don’t have to put up with uncomfortable contacts or give up on them completely. Finding the right solution starts with a conversation about your eyes and your lifestyle.

Here at St. Marys Optometry, we’re here to listen and help you find relief. Schedule a visit with our team today to discuss your symptoms and explore contact lens technologies made for happy, hydrated eyes.

Best Contacts for Dry Eyes FAQs

If dry eyes make contact lenses uncomfortable, you’re not alone—and you’re not necessarily out of options. Whether contacts will work for you depends on your tear quality, your eye health, and the right lens choice, which is something our St. Marys optometry team assesses individually. Below are answers to the questions we hear most from patients weighing contact lenses against ongoing dryness.

Can you wear contact lenses if you have dry eyes?

Sometimes. Dry eye doesn’t automatically rule out contact lenses, but it can make wear more challenging, and success varies from person to person. People with mild dry eye often wear lenses comfortably, while others experience irritation or shorter wearing time. The key is matching the lens to your eyes and recognizing when contacts may not be the best solution.

For suitable candidates, lenses that help retain moisture and allow plenty of oxygen to reach the eye tend to be more comfortable. Materials such as silicone hydrogel are designed to hold moisture and work with your tear film to reduce friction. The best choice depends on your tear quality and eye health, which is why a professional fitting matters more than any single lens brand.

Both can work, and the right choice depends on your eyes and routine. Daily disposables give you a fresh, clean lens each morning with no chance for deposits to build up, which can reduce irritation. Modern monthly lenses use moisture-retaining materials and can be comfortable and cost-effective, but only with consistent, proper cleaning.

Dryness with contacts can come from the lens material, a fit that isn’t quite right, screen habits that reduce blinking, or underlying dry eye disease. A lens that slides around or doesn’t fit properly can make dryness worse. If discomfort persists, it often signals that the dry eye itself needs to be addressed rather than simply switching lenses.

A few habits help. Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds—to encourage fuller blinking. Use rewetting drops made specifically for contact lens wearers, stay well hydrated, and consider running a humidifier to slow tear evaporation. If dryness continues, book a visit so we can look at the underlying cause.

If lenses continue to feel dry, the most effective step is often to treat the dry eye directly rather than keep changing lenses. At St. Marys Optometry, dry eye management may include prescription eye drops, oral medications, and lifestyle adjustments tailored to the cause and severity of your symptoms. Many patients find their comfort and vision improve once the dry eye itself is addressed.

Carol

Written by Dr. Carol Venn

My journey into optometry began when I was 15 and got my first pair of glasses. Suddenly, the world came into focus—details I hadn’t even realized I was missing became clear, and it made all the difference, especially in school. That experience was life-changing, and it sparked something in me: I wanted to give others the gift of clear vision, too. That realization set me on the path to earning my degree at the University of Waterloo and, eventually, to opening St. Marys Optometry in 2010.

Since then, I’ve been dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages, from little ones experiencing their first eye exams to adults who want to preserve their vision for years to come. I love connecting with my patients and making every visit a comfortable and positive experience. I’m passionate about uncovering the unique vision challenges my patients face so I can recommend the best solutions. By offering personalized, customized products and services, I help ensure every individual’s needs are met with care and precision.

One of my favourite things about St. Marys Optometry is the incredible team I get to work with every day. They are the backbone of the practice, and I truly couldn’t function without them! Each member of the SMO team cares deeply about our patients, going above and beyond to provide exceptional vision care. But they don’t just care about our patients—they care about each other, too, supporting one another in countless ways both in and out of the office. I genuinely love each member of our team and feel thankful for them every single day.

One of my favourite team traditions takes place each fall and holds a special place in my heart. We attend a conference together, spending the day learning, networking, and drawing inspiration from our colleagues in the optical industry. But the real magic happens after dinner, when we hit the dance floor! As someone who has always loved to dance, sharing the joy of dancing with my SMO team is an experience that’s truly unbeatable. Despite our different tastes in music and the range of ages in our group, it’s no surprise that we come together so effortlessly, making unforgettable memories while having a blast.

Outside the office, I value staying active and having fun. My favourite spot to stay active is the pickleball court, where I enjoy games with family and friends, as well as competing in tournaments—often teaming up with my longtime friend and fellow optometrist, Dr. Laurie. If you want to see what we’re up to check out @pickleball_visionaries on Instagram. I also love strolling through town with my husband Mike and our dogs, Scout and Hunter. At home, I enjoy spending quality time with Mike and our teens, Megan and Luke. And when it’s time to unwind, nothing beats a cozy moment with a cup of tea, a square of dark chocolate, and a good book or TV show.

As a longtime local (almost 30 years!), I’m passionate about supporting our vibrant community. If you’re new to St. Marys or looking to explore, I’d highly recommend checking out some of my favourite spots: TuttCo for the most delicious meals, Dunny’s Source for Sports where you can get everything you need for an active lifestyle, O’Grady’s Clothing and Accessories when it’s time to look your best, Sensations Salon and Day Spa for haircare and other services, and The Town & Country Cheese Shoppe where they make the best sandwiches as well as offering a massive variety of cheese. They’re all fantastic places to experience the heart of our town.

For me, optometry isn’t just about eye care—it’s about making a difference in people’s lives. At St. Marys Optometry, I’m proud to combine professional expertise with a personal touch, creating a space where everyone can feel at home while receiving the highest quality care.

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