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The short version
- Up to half of contact lens wearers feel discomfort at least some of the time, and it’s the main reason people give up lenses.
- A lens splits your tear film in two. The layer on top of the lens is thinner and evaporates faster.
- Use only drops labeled for use with contact lenses while they’re in. For anything else, take the lenses out first.
- A different lens, a better fit, daily disposables or a new cleaning system can each help. No single change fixes it for everyone.
- Don’t sleep in lenses unless your eye doctor says to. It raises the risk of eye infection six- to eightfold.
- Pain, redness or blurred vision means lenses out and a call to your eye doctor.
Why contact lenses make eyes feel dry
Discomfort with contact lenses is common. A major international workshop on the problem estimated that up to half of wearers experience it with some frequency, and that 12% to 51% of wearers stop wearing lenses altogether, with discomfort the main reason1 Nichols et al., Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2013 (opens in a new tab). The TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort: executive summary..
The cause starts with the tear film, the thin layer that coats the front of your eye. A lens sits in the middle of it and splits it in two: a layer between the lens and your eye, and a layer on top of the lens. That top layer has less oil, holds less fluid and evaporates faster than a normal tear film does1. It’s the same kind of fast evaporation that’s behind evaporative dry eye.
Two other things often add to it:
- The oil glands. Lens wear has been linked with reduced function of the meibomian glands along the eyelids, which make the oil that slows evaporation1.
- Screens. People blink about 17 times a minute at rest but only around 4.5 times a minute while reading2 Bentivoglio et al., Movement Disorders, 1997 (opens in a new tab). Analysis of blink rate patterns in normal subjects.. Reading on a screen, compared with paper, also raises the share of blinks that don’t fully close3 Argilés et al., Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2015 (opens in a new tab). Blink Rate and Incomplete Blinks in Six Different Controlled Hard-Copy and Electronic Reading Conditions.. Each blink spreads a fresh tear film, so fewer and shallower blinks leave the film over a lens to dry out for longer.
When it’s more than dryness
Dryness is uncomfortable. An eye infection needs prompt care. The CDC’s advice is to take your lenses out and contact your eye care provider if your eyes are uncomfortable4 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (opens in a new tab). Preventing Eye Infections When Wearing Contacts.. Don’t put them back in until you’ve been seen if you notice any of these:
- Eye pain, not just grittiness
- Redness that doesn’t settle after the lenses are out
- Blurred vision or a sudden change in vision
- Strong sensitivity to light
- Discharge from the eye
Sleeping in lenses matters here too. According to the CDC, sleeping in contact lenses, whether by accident or as part of an extended-wear schedule, raises the risk of contact lens eye infections six- to eightfold5 Cope et al., CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2018 (opens in a new tab). Corneal Infections Associated with Sleeping in Contact Lenses: Six Cases, United States, 2016 to 2018..
Eye drops you can use with contacts
Not every eye drop is meant to go in while your lenses are in, so the label is the thing to check.
- Rewetting drops. These are made for use with lenses in. Look for “for contact lenses” or “rewetting drops” on the box, and make sure it matches your lens type.
- Artificial tears that say they’re safe with contacts. Some do. The iVizia Dry Eye label, for example, says it’s safe with contacts, but also suggests taking your lenses out, using the drops and then putting the lenses back in if you want to limit blurring6 Product label: iVizia Dry Eye, via DailyMed (opens in a new tab). IVIZIA DRY EYE (povidone) lubricant eye drops..
- Everything else. If the label doesn’t mention contact lenses, take your lenses out first, use the drop, and follow the label’s wait time before putting them back in. If there isn’t one, about 15 minutes is a common gap. Thick gels, oily drops and ointments can smear lenses, so save those for when your lenses are out, for example at bedtime. One reason for all this: some preservatives can be absorbed by soft lenses7 FDA prescribing information: Eysuvis, via DailyMed (opens in a new tab). EYSUVIS (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 0.25%..
Water-layer drop, preservative-free bottle
iVizia Lubricant Eye Drops
Povidone with hyaluronic acid and trehalose, preservative-free in a multi-dose bottle. Gentle enough to use many times a day.
Worth knowing. Water-layer drops alone often fall short if your oil glands are the real problem.
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Prescription treatments and contacts. The prescription dry eye drops all ask you to take your lenses out first and wait before putting them back in: 15 minutes for most, and at least 30 minutes for Miebo8 FDA prescribing information: Miebo, via DailyMed (opens in a new tab). MIEBO (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution).. Tyrvaya is a nasal spray, so nothing goes in your eyes, and some doctors consider it for people who wear contacts9 Wong and Barak, Pharmacy, 2024 (opens in a new tab). Managing Dry Eye Disease with Novel Medications: Mechanism, Study Validity, Safety, Efficacy, and Practical Application.. Our guide to prescription dry eye drops covers each one.
Lens changes to ask your optometrist about
If your lenses keep bothering you, a refit is worth asking about before you give up on them. The international workshop listed several changes that may help, while cautioning that any single change usually brings a modest improvement, not a cure1.
- A different lens material. It may help some people, but the evidence doesn’t favor one type across the board. A 2023 Cochrane review of seven trials found too little evidence to recommend silicone hydrogel lenses, the newer and more breathable kind, over standard hydrogel lenses for comfort10 Haworth et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023 (opens in a new tab). Silicone hydrogel versus hydrogel soft contact lenses for differences in patient-reported eye comfort and safety..
- A better fit. The workshop noted that changes to fit, such as the lens’s curve or diameter, may improve comfort1.
- Daily disposables. A fresh lens every day means no deposits building up and no cleaning solution touching your eyes, which may be part of why some people find them more comfortable1.
- A different cleaning system. If you suspect your solution, your optometrist may suggest another system, such as one based on hydrogen peroxide. Those need care: the solution has to be neutralized before the lenses go back in, you have to use the special case that comes with each new bottle, and getting the solution straight in your eye can damage the cornea11 US Food and Drug Administration, 2023 (opens in a new tab). Contact Lenses: Safe Use of Hydrogen Peroxide Solution..
- Scleral lenses. These are large rigid lenses that vault over the cornea and hold a pool of fluid against it. They’re usually reserved for more severe dry eye, and the research on them for dry eye alone is still thin, although many patients report relief. Midday fogging is a common complaint12 Qiu et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2024 (opens in a new tab). Scleral Lenses for Managing Dry Eye Disease in the Absence of Corneal Irregularities: What Is the Current Evidence?..
Habits that help
- Give your eyes lens-free time. Glasses in the evening or on days at home give the tear film a break.
- Take screen breaks and blink fully. The Eye Break Timer reminds you every 20 minutes, and the Blink Test shows how often you blink while reading. In one small trial, a month of simple blinking exercises improved dry eye symptoms and tear stability13 Kim et al., Contact Lens & Anterior Eye, 2021 (opens in a new tab). Therapeutic benefits of blinking exercises in dry eye disease..
- Look after your eyelids. If your oil glands are part of the problem, a daily warm compress helps the oil flow again.
- Follow the replacement schedule. Replace lenses as often as your eye doctor recommends and your lens case at least every three months4.
- Keep water away from your lenses. Take them out before swimming or showering, and never top up old solution in the case with fresh solution. Use fresh solution every time4.
When to see an eye doctor
Book a visit if dryness keeps you from wearing your lenses as long as you’d like, if you’re reaching for drops many times a day, or if the tips here haven’t helped within a few weeks. An eye doctor can check your lens fit, your tear film and your oil glands, and tell you whether the problem is the lens, dry eye itself, or both. Our three-minute dry eye quiz is a good way to organize your symptoms before the appointment.
Tell us where you are and what you’ve tried. We’ll connect you with a vetted clinic nearby when one joins our network.
Common questions
Can I use regular eye drops with contacts?
Only if the label says they’re safe with contact lenses. Otherwise, take your lenses out, use the drops and follow the label’s wait time before putting your lenses back in. Rewetting drops are made for use with lenses in.
Which contact lenses are best for dry eyes?
There isn’t one type that suits everyone. A 2023 Cochrane review found too little evidence to recommend silicone hydrogel over standard hydrogel lenses for comfort. Your optometrist can try a different material, fit or replacement schedule based on what your eyes need.
Are daily disposable lenses better for dry eyes?
They help some people, possibly because there are no deposits building up and no cleaning solution involved. They’re worth asking about if your lenses get less comfortable over the day or the month.
Should I stop wearing contacts if I have dry eye?
Not necessarily. Many people with dry eye keep wearing lenses with a better-suited lens, shorter wearing days and treatment for the dryness itself. If lenses make your eyes painful or red, stop wearing them and see your eye doctor.
Can I sleep in my contacts?
Only if your eye doctor has prescribed lenses for overnight wear. The CDC says sleeping in lenses raises the risk of eye infection six- to eightfold, even with lenses approved for it.
Why do my contacts feel worse at the end of the day?
Two things add up over the day. The tear film over a lens evaporates faster than a normal tear film, and hours of screen use mean fewer and shallower blinks to refresh it. Lens-free evenings and regular screen breaks can help.
Sources
- The TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort: executive summary (opens in a new tab). Nichols et al., Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2013.
- Analysis of blink rate patterns in normal subjects (opens in a new tab). Bentivoglio et al., Movement Disorders, 1997.
- Blink Rate and Incomplete Blinks in Six Different Controlled Hard-Copy and Electronic Reading Conditions (opens in a new tab). Argilés et al., Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2015.
- Preventing Eye Infections When Wearing Contacts (opens in a new tab). US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Corneal Infections Associated with Sleeping in Contact Lenses: Six Cases, United States, 2016 to 2018 (opens in a new tab). Cope et al., CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2018.
- IVIZIA DRY EYE (povidone) lubricant eye drops (opens in a new tab). Product label: iVizia Dry Eye, via DailyMed.
- EYSUVIS (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 0.25% (opens in a new tab). FDA prescribing information: Eysuvis, via DailyMed.
- MIEBO (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution) (opens in a new tab). FDA prescribing information: Miebo, via DailyMed.
- Managing Dry Eye Disease with Novel Medications: Mechanism, Study Validity, Safety, Efficacy, and Practical Application (opens in a new tab). Wong and Barak, Pharmacy, 2024.
- Silicone hydrogel versus hydrogel soft contact lenses for differences in patient-reported eye comfort and safety (opens in a new tab). Haworth et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023.
- Contact Lenses: Safe Use of Hydrogen Peroxide Solution (opens in a new tab). US Food and Drug Administration, 2023.
- Scleral Lenses for Managing Dry Eye Disease in the Absence of Corneal Irregularities: What Is the Current Evidence? (opens in a new tab). Qiu et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2024.
- Therapeutic benefits of blinking exercises in dry eye disease (opens in a new tab). Kim et al., Contact Lens & Anterior Eye, 2021.
This guide is for education and doesn’t replace advice from your eye doctor or optometrist. Always follow the instructions for your own lenses and solution.