How do dry eyes affect lens wear time?

You have a long day at work or traveling ahead of you – now you’re lying in bed, worried, that at noon, your eyes will feel dry and itchy. Dryness during contact lens wear is common, but for people wearing scleral lenses or living with keratoconus, it feels like a nightmare!

Specialty lenses interact with the eye in unique ways, and understanding these interactions help explain why dryness can occur. In many cases, dryness is influenced by tear film behavior, screen habits, and environmental conditions rather than a problem with the lens itself.

The surface of the eye is covered by a thin layer of moisture called the tear film. This layer keeps the optical surface smooth, provides hydration and protects the cornea, which supports stable, comfortable vision.

When a contact lens is placed on the eye, the tear film is redistributed. In soft and GP lenses, the tear film forms both in front of and behind the lens. With scleral lenses, the situation is slightly different: the lens vaults over the cornea and sits on the white part of the eye. A fluid reservoir made up of non-preserved saline sits between the back surface of the lens and the eye. While this reservoir is designed to support the corneal surface, the front surface of the scleral lens still depends on the tear film.

This same principle applies across all contact lens types: any time the tear film on the front surface of the lens evaporates too quickly, that moisture loss can present as a change in vision quality rather than as a typical dryness sensation. In other words, fluctuating vision is often how the eye signals dryness before discomfort is even felt.

Digital device use reduces blink frequency. Blinking spreads moisture evenly across the surface of the eye and the lens.

When blinking decreases, evaporation increases. This can make dryness feel more noticeable, especially for scleral lens wearers who rely on stable surface wetting for consistent visual clarity.

Environmental factors such as heating, air conditioning, wind, or low humidity can further increase evaporation.

A consistent eye care routine supports lens cleanliness and surface quality. When lenses are properly cleaned and stored using a suitable contact lens solution, they are better prepared to interact smoothly with the tear film.

A structured routine typically includes:

• Cleaning and storing lenses with a multi-purpose solution as directed
• Replacing lenses according to the recommended schedule

Although a contact lens solution does not change natural tear production, maintaining a clean lens surface supports overall comfort during daily wear.

When dryness is related to evaporation or reduced blinking, adding moisture to the surface of the eye may help relieve temporary discomfort.

Lubricating eye drops are formulated to moisturize the eye and ease irritation associated with dryness. For contact lens wearers, including those using scleral lenses, they can be used as directed to help maintain comfort throughout the day.

WE FRESH Lubricating Eye Drops are formulated to lubricate the eye and provide additional moisture for temporary relief from dryness. They can be used before inserting or after removing lenses.

While lubricating drops do not replace proper lens care, they may help provide temporary relief from dryness-related discomfort during extended screen-time or when in dry environments.

Occasional dryness is common. However, if discomfort becomes persistent, affects visual clarity, or is accompanied by additional symptoms, evaluation by an eye care professional is recommended to assess lens fit, tear film stability, and overall eye health.

For patients with a history of corneal pathology, such as those with keratoconus, regular follow-up remains particularly important to ensure stable lens performance and ocular surface health.