What causes dry eyes ?
The cause of dry eyes is that the tear film (tear fluid) for some reason does not quite manage to keep the eye moist.
Many factors can cause Dry Eyes
Aging
Environment factors such as weather and smoke
Contact lens wearers (absorb lubrication and the tear film)
Using computer and watch TV for long time
Deficiency in vitamin A
A lack of sleep
Some diseases may also lead to dry eyes
Dry Eyes Symptoms
· Discomfort in the eyes after periods of reading, watching TV, or using computer
· Fell Itchiness
· Redness of eye
· Excessive tearing without relief
· Feeling of presence of foreign object in the eyes
Dry Eyes and Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are manufactured from one of two types of polymeric materials.
Soft contact lenses are made from hydrophilic plastics that contain water.
Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses are manufactured from polymeric materials that do not contain any water all.
Soft contact lenses and dry eye
The new polymers used in these contact lenses help to keep it moist.
There are 2 types of lenses formulated for people suffer from dry eyes, Acuvue Oasis and Proclear Compatibles receive the most favorable reviews from wearers.
Acuvue Oasis, by Johnson and Johnson, is specifically formulated for people who work or live in dry environments. Acuvue Oasis contains Hydraclear Plus
a special rewetting agent that’s make the contact lens feel moist
Proclear Compatibles, by Cooper Vision, is made from omafilcon A, Proclear lens contains phosphorylcholine – a substance that occurs naturally in human cells (Proclear uses technology of biocompability) that makes your body not reject it as a foreign object in your eye
So Proclear Compatibles feel moist in your eye and don’t cause dehydration.
RGP lenses for people with dry eyes
RGP lens is made from polymeric materials and don’t contain any water. So water won’t evaporate from the surface of the lens as with soft lenses. That is why some doctors recommend their patients with dry eyes to wear RGP contact lenses.
Problems of RGP Lenses
It can irritate your eye if there are not enough tears under it
If you have dry eyes and your current contact lenses don’t feel comfortable. Ask your doctor if the lenses he recommended would work for you.