Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes: New Thoughts Emerge
Eye doctors often identify contact lens wearers that have developed dry eyes, typically middle-aged females. Up until now the dry eyes were attributed to the fact that baseline maintenance tear production decreases with age and with decreased sex hormone synthesis.
Oh, forgive this digression. Did you notice I used the phrase "sex hormone" and not simply estrogen? Researchers now say the balance between androgens (present in both genders, more so in men) and estrogen (present in both genders, more so in women) is critical in moderating tear production. Both men and women develop dry eyes but more so women, possibly because of the abrupt estrogen shift that occurs in women. We know for a fact that hormone replacement therapy in eligible menopausal women can greatly relieve their dry eyes.
Back to the conflict involving dry eyes in contact lens wearers. One myth perpetuated by eye doctors is the "competing sponge" theory. Dry eye patients already make insufficient moisture for the naked eye. Introducing that thirsty soft contact lens will absorb what little water is available in the tear film to further dessicate the cornea.
Useful, new information is now available. In many patients the contact lens itself is responsible, not hormones, not sponges. The presence of the contact lens partially (or totally) numbs the surface of the cornea. Here's what happens. The delicate sensory nerves residing within the superficial cornea, (the tiny nerve fibers that sense smoke or overly chlorinated pool water), also sense very tiny changes in tear film chemistry (pH, osmolarity, etc.). These nerves automatically send the appropriate signal to the lacrimal glands: make less tears, make more tears. Loss of corneal sensation interrupts that critical tear feedback loop. Numb corneas don't send signals!
The race is on to develop contact lenses that do not anesthetize the ocular surface, thus permitting continued, comfortable wear for many folks who stand ready to surrender that TV remote.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: contact lenses, dry eye, tears, vision, health and wellness
15 Comments:
This is why I don't wear contacts anymore. I couldn't stand the constant feeling of dry sand in my eyes and no matter how much I'd swear it was the contacts causing the problem I'd get told no, no, it was hormonal, etc. Thank you for confirming with science what I knew in my gut.
I always thought it was unusual that I would not "cry" etwhen cutting onions when wearing contacts! Now it makes sense....and I am also no longer able to wear contacts due to dry eye.
Im sure contacts caused my long term dry eye, i stoped wearing them due to discomfort, and i am now suffering from severe dry eye. I am young so i doubt hormones are to blame.
Thanks for posting about this! We have many people in our online support group (dryeyetalk.com) who attribute their dry eyes to contacts. It's important that people not get too stubborn about wearing contacts when they are beginning to experience dry eye symptoms.
I have found using hot compresses on my eye lids twice a day, taking flaxseed oil and using a progesterone cream have helped my dry eye syndrome. I use gas perm. lenses, am post menopausal and do not want to give up the improvement in vision - especially when driving in the dark. Has anyone had tear duct plugs inserted? That is an option I have been given.
I am 37 yrs. old and have diagnosed dry eye. I have plugs in the tearducts and it has helped quite a bit! I have been able to continue wearing contacts with the plugs. I was given "temporary" dissolvable plugs first to make sure my eyes could tolerate them (no excessive watering) and they did, so now I have permanent plugs (only removable by the opthalmologist). I would recommend plugs to anyone with severe dry eye! I also use Restasis - a prescription eye drop for dry eye patients. It helps the eye product tears naturally - but has to be used 2x per day indefinitely to keep up the benefits. Good lucK!
I did not believe doctors in the past when they called it "dry eyes", and I did not realize it could have been due to wearing contact lenses. In my late thirties the "dry eyes" began. I received surgery, which involved a tube being placed in my tear duct. It helped for about a year or less. With the same problem after a year and a half, I went to see the doctor who performed the surgery, he recommended the surgery again, which I didn't want to do. I'm 46 now, still wearing contact lenses, with a watery left eye, sometimes right eye if I laugh too much. Associates think I'm crying. It's embarrassing when I don't realize it's tearing, and I don't have a tissue. Some people wipe their eye, and I think it's a sign to let me know my eye is watering. Now co-workers ask me if I've found a solution because they are experiencing the same thing. This "dry eyes" has made me quite self-conscious when conversing with family, friends, and associates. I guess it's time for glasses, unless the plugs are an A+ solution. Can anyone recommend a good opthamologist in Houston, TX?
I have alot of pain above my left eye and have been told this is due to dry eye syndrome. I am only wearing a contact in my right eye but still dealing with pain.any suggestions?
I have been experiencing dry eye now for two years and I am 24 years old. I have been on Restasis for nearly a year and have plugs inserted, still with no relief. I am unable to produce any tears and have pain whether I wear contacts or my glasses. How long does it take for the treatments to work because I am suffering! Any feedback would be appreciated!
I had "plugs" inserted about 5 months ago and had to have them removed last week due to "granulomsa" which had formed around both plugs. The Opthamologist explained that my body was rejecting them and they would have to be removed. I now have 2 black eyes(pretty funny)from the novocaine/xylocaine used to numb my eyes. He has now put me on Restasis which seems to be working...
Sorry, the proper spelling is granulomas.....
Has anyone ever had it happen to just one eye? I quit wearing contacts about 2 years ago due to dry eyes. The problem was supposedly caused by the birth control I was taking. I have since quit taking the birth control and decided to try contacts again, but it seems that my left eye is too dry for them. My right eye does fine, but my left eye is dry and I can't keep a contact in that eye. Any suggestions?
I've never worn contacts and suffer from dry eye in my right eye only. I'm 47 and on birth control pills. Could it be the BC pills? The opthamologist kept blaming it on allergies. Allergies in one eye?! I went to an optometrist who said I have dry eye. Dry in one eye?! I'm giving up the birth control pills, at my age I probably don't need them anyway. Thank you all for your input. I think you've given me the answer I was looking for finally. To the person who asked if it's possible to have it one eye...I say YES because I have it.
I have worn contacts for years and started having trouble with dry eye several years ago. I have a plug in my left eye, which has helped a lot, but my right eye waters constantly. I've asked 3 different eye doctors and my allergist about it. They usually just shrug and say it's irritation. I'm with you "Anonymous" - it's annoying and embarassing at work. I'm constantly wiping my eye with a tissue and saying that it's allergy. So are you saying your watery eye is actually dry???? Should I have my right eye plugged too???
I recommend acupuncture, especially for anyone with pain above the eye. Pain above the eye can be sinus- related pressure, (in my experience!) and a simple needle inserted above the eyebrow, on the inside edge, can create great relief. Ask around for acupuncturists in your area....
Post a Comment