7 Helpful Tips to Prevent Dry Eyes

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All contact lens wearers have experienced dry eyes at some point. The irritation, the burning and heavy squinting make getting through the day unbearable. Observe the situations you are in when this occurs, as a lot of the time dry eyes may be preventable. Here are 7 helpful tips to avoid dry eye:

~Set your computer screen below your eye level: When your screen is above your eye level you tend to open your eyes more to see the screen better. When your screen is lower you relax your eyes, which helps reduce the dehydration of the tears in your eyes.

~Be mindful of your surroundings: Whether you live in the mountains, in the desert or are catching the next flight home, the air in these and many other areas can be very dry. Try closing your eyes more often to decrease the amount of moisture loss in your eyes. You can also carry an extra bottle of solution to rewet your lenses if they are drying out.

~Try wearing a disposable moist contact lens: Theses lenses contain more water content than traditional lenses, so they provide longer lasting comfort throughout the day, and since they are disposable they require no maintenance. Just toss out the dry lenses and pop in a fresh pair. Moist contact lenses are also available for both astigmatic and multifocal wearers.

~Think about wearing sunglasses: Consider wearing sunglasses, even when you wouldn't normally, if you find your eyes are drying out more often than you'd like. Blocking the suns scorching rays and the winds blustery gust will go a long way to keeping your eyes moist throughout the day.

~Avoiding smoke or smoking: Not only is smoking bad for your lungs, it is also extremely bad for your eyes. You may find that smoke causes your contact lenses to rest uncomfortably in your eyes, causing them to become red, scratchy and irritating. This is because smoke extracts moisture from the surrounding air, thus drying out your contacts and your eyes at the same time. Smoking also can cause harmful long term consequences to your eyes such as glaucoma, cataracts and even blindness.

~Prevent air blowing directly into your eyes: Fans, air conditioners, car heaters, and hair dryers. Each of these, among many others, can dry your lenses and your eyes out in minutes making for a really unpleasant rest of your day.

~Use eye drops regularly: If you have persistent dry eyes be sure to use rewetting drops even when you're not dried out. This will keep you ahead of the game and avoid any unnecessary discomfort later. Consider using rewetting drops prior to removing your lenses. This will ensure that the lenses are well hydrated and therefore become easier and safer to remove.

(As always, consult your eye doctor for proper eye care and correct contact lens fitting.)

In addition to the above suggestions, here are some contact lenses for dry eyes that may go a long way in helping prevention. However, if you are still experiencing discomfort or your eyes do not appear healthy, please remove your contacts and consult your optician immediately.

Proclear Lenses from Coopervision: These belong to a family of lenses that carry an
FDA approved claim that they may provide improved comfort for contact lens wearers who experience mild discomfort or symptoms relating to dryness during lens wear. The science that led to CooperVision®'s PC Technology^TM enables Proclear® contact lenses to provide exceptional all-day comfort. PC molecules, found naturally in human cells, create a biocompatible lens material that feels moist and comfortable all day long. The lens is designed to be worn as a monthly daily wear lens, which means you take the lenses out each night and replace with fresh lenses on a monthly basis. Be sure to follow your eye doctor's recommended replacement schedule.

Silicone Hydrogel Lenses: The material of these lenses is designed to deliver high oxygen absorption, easier handling, resistance to deposits, and flexibility of continuous wear. (Some may be worn for up to 30 days with the recommendation of an eye doctor.) All combined, these benefits helped make these lenses the first choice of eye doctors and wearers alike.

Daily Disposable Lenses: Theses lenses are great for both dry eye and allergy sufferers, as they are designed to be worn for one day, discarded at bedtime and then replaced with a fresh pair the next morning. Not only do these lenses provide convenience, they require no soaking solution or lens cases. They also safeguard against deposit buildup on your lens as can occur with monthly and weekly lenses. Compliance with your eye doctors wearing regimen is usually very high in comparison to other lens categories. Eye doctors have used these lenses to fit younger wearers who may be less attentive to lens care issues.

Air Optix Aqua: While it may sound weird and contradictory, sometimes a lens with less water content can stave off dry eye, as they may be less inclined to dehydrate in dry conditions. Air Optix® Aqua contact lenses, manufactured by Alcon®, transmit up to five times more oxygen than traditional soft contact lenses. The lenses stay comfortable throughout the day thanks to the unique Aqua Moisture System. The patented lens material helps to maintain moisture and a smooth lens surface helps to prevent deposits and optimize comfort.

(As always, consult your eye doctor for proper eye care and correct contact lens fitting.)