“A lot has changed [and companies are] investing in new technologies to ensure better comfort and health in newer material and contact lenses," says Rawzi Baik, OD, an ophthalmologist at Clarkson Eyecare in Cincinnati. When looking to buy contact lenses for dry eyes, you should take a few things into consideration: comfort, high oxygen permeability, water content less than 50 percent, and moisture. Additionally, take replacement frequency into consideration, especially if price is factored into your decision. We researched dozens of contact lenses and evaluated them for lens type, material, water percentage, additional features, and price.
Here are the best contact lenses for dry eyes on the market today.
To top it off, ULTRA lenses also take our increasingly digitized world into consideration: according to Bausch & Lomb, when you stare at a screen, you tend to blink less frequently, which dries out your eyes. With ULTRA lenses, though, less blinking isn’t an issue; whether you spend all day on your laptop, phone, or tablet, your contacts will keep your eyes hydrated.
Price at time of publication: $62
“Silicone hydrogel technology improves the gas permeability of a contact, and its low water content does not dehydrate like older materials,” says Steve Menzel, OD, at Clarkson Eyecare. “[It also] does not require the same amount of water as older materials, so it does not draw as much water from an already dry eye.”
These contacts stay wet on their own rather than pulling moisture from your eyes. Combined with their high oxygen permeability and affordable cost, we think you’ll come back to these comfortable and budget-friendly faves month after month.
Price at time of publication: $55
Featuring Digital Zone Optics, Biofinity Energys works to combat digital eye strain in three different ways: relieving eye tiredness, easing the transition from on-screen to off-screen (and vice versa), and reducing eye muscle stress. Additionally, Biofinity Energys are made with a just-right water percentage and silicone hydrogel, making them moisture-retaining and breathable for people prone to screen-related dryness.
Price at time of publication: $62
Alcon Dailies Total1 Lenses are a cost-effective option for anyone wanting to use daily disposable lenses, but we chose them as our favorite daily pick because they go above and beyond when it comes to comfort. Even you’ll change your lenses every day, Total1 lenses are designed to promote the health of your natural tear film, encouraging your eyes to stay moist on all their own. The only downside is the lack of lenses for people with special eye concerns, like astigmatism.
Price at time of publication: $112
These transitional lenses respond within 90 seconds to changes in light and dark and can block up to 15 percent of blue light when you’re on a screen or device. Just remember that you still need to wear sunglasses when you’re outside, since the UV protection these lenses offer only applies to the parts of your eyes covered by your lenses.
Price at time of publication: $55
The lenses can be worn for one or two weeks before you have to toss them out. Their 54% water content is perfect for wearers with dry eyes. The lens is also compatible for wearers with astigmatism, so no worries if you need a more specialized fit.
Price at time of publication: $40
With a water content of 33%, your lenses will not only stay wet, but they’ll help prevent irritating debris and buildup on your lenses.
Price at time of publication: $99
“All major U.S. contact lens manufacturers produce disposable—daily disposable, bi-weekly, and monthly replacement—soft contact lenses that correct astigmatism for the overwhelming majority of ‘astigmats’,” says Dr. Berman.
We like the Acuvue OASYS lenses designed for astigmatism since they have a solid water content of 38%, Hydraclear Plus technology to promote a comfortable feel, and stabilizing technology to prevent your lenses from shifting too easily on your eye with normal eye movements (a common reason for discomfort with regular contacts for “astigmats”).
Price at time of publication: $60
If you’re constantly rubbing at dry eyes or counting down the minutes until you can take your contacts out, the daily disposable nature of these contacts, combined with their extreme moisturization, might be the answer to all your sensitive eye problems.
Price at time of publication: $74
Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of colored contact lenses focusing on dry eyes, but you’re not totally out of luck. The Alcon Air Optix line features a colored lens option that includes a 33% water content and silicone hydrogel for breathability. While you still might not be able to rock those lavender or emerald green eyes all day, every day, the Air Optix Colors are probably your most comfortable—and colorful—bet.
Price at time of publication: $43
Once we narrowed down our options, we compared each contact’s benefits to its price tag. While some choices on our list may be more expensive than others, we wanted to give a wide range of options for buyers that would fit all needs and budgets. Based on all of these factors, we compiled this list of the best contacts for dry eyes.
What to Look for in Contacts for Dry Eyes
Oxygen Permeability
Contact lenses cover the cornea of your eye, which can contribute to discomfort if your eyes tend to be drier than average. Contacts that have a high oxygen diffusion, though, let more oxygen reach the cornea.
“The most important factor to look at is the permeability of the contact lens, [or the Dk/t measurement],” says Yuna Rapoport, MD, director of Manhattan Eye in New York City. “This takes into account the material of the contact lens as well as the thickness of the lens [and] directly reflects the oxygen permeability of the contact itself.”
According to Dr. Rapoport, the higher the Dk/T, the more permeable the lens—and the more oxygen that gets through to the cornea. This is a good thing for people with dry eyes because more oxygen means a healthier cornea, more comfort, and less likelihood of complications.
Fit
Eye care providers take careful measurements during eye exams, including the base curve and diameter of your cornea, and include these measurements in your prescription.
Patients with dry eyes, however, may need more trial and error—under the supervision of a professional—to find the exact right fit. “An improperly fitting contact lens, even if it is the correct prescription, will make your eyes feel uncomfortable,” warns Dr. Rapoport. It can also cause harm, infection, scarring, and vision loss.
Brad Brocwell, MD, ophthalmologist and vice president of clinical operations for Now Optics, agrees: “Fitting contact lenses can be complicated—if you are suffering from the symptoms of dry eye, don’t be afraid to discuss it with your eye care professional. They will help determine which contact lens is best for you.”
Water Content
Contact lenses are made partially of water, but the amount of water is different between lens styles. High water content lenses (made of more than 50% water) are thicker, while low water content lenses (made with less than 50% water) are thinner.
While you might assume more water equals more hydration—and that high water content contacts are better for dry eyes—it’s actually the other way around.
“The higher water content lenses may worsen the sensation of dryness because they can draw water away from the eye,” explains Dr. Brocwell. “Generally, lower water content lenses are more comfortable for patients suffering from dry eyes.”
Dry eye sufferers should look for contacts made with about 40% or less water to prevent this moisture-wicking effect.
Frequent Replacement
One of the biggest culprits of dryness when it comes to contacts is environmental buildup; the more gunk, essentially, on your lenses (whether it’s pollen, bacteria, or proteins and lipids from your own tears), the more irritation they’ll cause your already-sensitive eyes, according to Dr. Baik.
One way around this, says Dr. Baik, is to use shorter replacement lenses—in particular, dailies.
“Daily disposable lenses benefit patients by reducing the buildup of deposits,” he says. “This approach may also aid patients with allergies and blepharitis.”
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“The tear film lubricating the cornea is made up of three layers: a lipid layer, a mucin layer, and a water layer,” explains Dr. Shedlo. “Disruption to any of these three layers will result in the tear film breaking up and complaints of dry eyes. This is why lubricating eye drops are the first course of treatment most doctors recommend for dry eyes.”
If you’re unsure if a brand of eyedrops works with your contact lenses, read the manufacturer label (yes, even the fine print!) or talk to an eye doctor. Most products will be very clear about their recommended usage and any potential warnings that you should be aware of when using their product.
“The biggest issue with conventional reusable contact lenses is the build-up of deposits on the lenses,” says Eubanks. “To take care of these deposits, conventional soft contact lenses must be cleaned and disinfected daily. This cleaning process requires high compliance, and a high percentage of patients fail to perform this process correctly.”
Switching out your contacts daily removes the need to clean them after each use, meaning your eyes are at a lower risk of infection or discomfort that can lead to dry eyes.
“If you have dry eyes and can wear contacts comfortably, there is no reason to change them more frequently than is recommended by the manufacturer,” says Dr. Shedlo. “If the contacts are not very comfortable, you may want to consider reducing the wearing time and remove your lenses.”
Many of the contact lenses on this list are not recommended for overnight use either, so make sure that you are removing them regularly and not wearing them longer than recommended.
Additional reporting for this story by Sarah Bradley
