Best contacts and solution for dry eye

[Dakota731]

I've been plagued with dry eye lately as I get older and am looking for new ideas. I currently use Air Optix 30 day lenses and Clear Care solution. I don't do well with daily lenses so any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[casnider]

I discovered BioTrue a few years ago and it has been the best for me. I had a round with GPC so I don't play when it comes to my eyes.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

I second BioTrue. I was also plagued by dry eyes and started using BioTrue at the recommendation of my optometrist. No more dry eyes.

You also asked about contacts. I use AcuView Oasys - the ones you wear for two weeks, then replace. This was the brand I've worn for years, though. For me, I found the BioTrue was the solution to my dry eyes.

 

[Marionnette]

I've been plagued with dry eye lately as I get older and am looking for new ideas. I currently use Air Optix 30 day lenses and Clear Care solution. I don't do well with daily lenses so any suggestions are appreciated!

Dry eye may not be related to the contact lenses. See your eye doctor. They can change your contact prescription (you can't just choose to use another lens on your own) to a more comfortable lens, recommend a different cleaning solution and perhaps recommend either prescription or OTC drops for relief.

 

[mblondie0509]

I also have dry eyes and have tear duct plugs. I also recommend BioTrue lens solution. It is more viscous than an OptiFree and I feel like it keeps them lubricated longer.

As far as contacts go, my Optometrist switched me to Biofinity contacts and I hardly have any issues anymore.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't wear contacts but I have a coworker who had dry eyes until she tried Bilberry supplements, in the vitamin section. She said the relief was amazing and noticeable by the next day, and when she stopped taking it, they were dry again. It's very inexpensive and she says it also is said to help with night vision, used by the military back in the day. She is certain it's why she is almost 55 and still doesn't even need readers. She's the only one over 40 I know that doesn't need glasses.

 

[LadyD]

I had serious dry eye issues with contacts, to the point where I was putting drops in my eyes at least hourly to help with little improvement. My eye doctor tried several brands of contacts and solutions, without significant help. It was bad. Contacts would routinely break apart in my eyes, irritate my eyelids from drying out, etc. This past summer my eye doctor placed tear duct plugs. HUGE improvement. I now only need drops once maybe twice generally after wearing the contacts for 10+ hours or when the lenses are getting close to the end of their life.

The odd thing is I really didn't have any significant dry eye symptoms other than my eyes destroying contacts (and then the contacts causing me severe pain back).

 

[kmb584]

I've been wearing contacts for 17 years and always used the same brand, Frequency 55. The last 8 months or so with them were horrible. My eyes were so dry that I was taking them out and rinsing them at least 6 times each day while at work. There were times that I even took them out and wore my glasses for the remainder of the day. I had my yearly eye exam in October and mentioned the issue to my optometrist. Based on her recommendation, I switched to ACUVUE Vita and they have made a world of difference! They're relatively new on the market and are specially designed for eyes that experience lens discomfort. I put them in the morning and forget that I'm even wearing them. They're so comfortable!

 

[tarak]

I use dailies, so that wouldn't be helpful. I swear by Genteal eye gel. It feels weird at first - like you're putting Vaseline in your eye. But it really helps with my dry eyes (I have an autoimmune disease that causes it).

 

[Dakota731]

I will go back to Biotrue and see if that helps. Funny thing is I used to use it until my eye doctor recommended Clear Care. It can't hurt to try!

 

[buzznina]

For contacts I would suggest Alcon Dailies Total

 

[Dakota731]

A friend suggested I try a humidifier. Anyone helped by that? Does it help at night even if my eyes are closed?

 

[Marionnette]

I will go back to Biotrue and see if that helps. Funny thing is I used to use it until my eye doctor recommended Clear Care. It can't hurt to try!

Clear Care and BioTrue are different methods of caring for your lenses. Clear Care is often used when the patient needs a more powerful method. If your eye doctor recommended Clear Care, chances are good that it's because BioTrue was not doing a good enough job for you (ie lenses were not lasting long because of protein deposits or repeated infection due to incomplete cleaning with the old method).

Why don't you give your eye doctor a call and get their input instead of polling an internet message board? Anecdotal advice is no substitute for that of a professional who is actually familiar with your individual case.