Several persons experience both dry eye disease and astigmatism, and the concomitance of these conditions causes discomfort with contact lens wear.

Dry eye and astigmatism are common ocular disorders, & such conditions often coexist for many people.

One in three people (not wearing contact lenses following guidelines) have astigmatism 1 & up to 49 million people suffer from dry eye in the United States.

In contact lens-wearing patients, the frequency of such issues can generally result in decreased contact lens comfort and reduced clarity of vision.

Astigmatism

Introduction to Astigmatism

Astigmatism has become a common refractive problem that occurs when the cornea or lens in our eye is curved abnormally. This abnormal curve prevents light from focusing absolutely upon the lens after it enters the eye.

Astigmatism Impact

Nearly all adults have some degree of astigmatism, but most of these never find that it might interfere with their lifestyle. However, studies surveyed in various countries & cultures show that astigmatism has noticeable effects for approximately one-third of adults.
In simplified medical phrases, the irregular curve limits your eye’s ability to put focus the light on the retina. And this causes blurry or distorted vision, making it complicated to identify shapes and details at any distance; it may cause eye strain, fatigue, and headaches.

Dry Eyes

Dry Eyes Treatment

Dry Eyes Problem is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture over the eyes' surface. Its consequences range from minor irritation to the inability to wear contact lenses & an increased risk of corneal rash and eye infections.

Dry Eye Symptoms

It may seem odd, but sometimes dry eye syndrome can cause watery eyes because excessive dryness overstimulates the production of the watery component of your eye’s tears.

In dry eye syndrome, the tear glands that moisturize the eye don’t produce enough tears, or the tears have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate quite quickly.

How Contact Lenses Help Dealing With Dry Eyes and Astigmatism

In addition to the most commonly experienced symptoms in patients with dry eye disease (i.e., ocular discomfort, irritation, burning, visual blur, and so on), there are also several clinical signs to evaluate.
Dry eye patients tend to have higher amounts of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), quicker tear break-up times (TBUT), lower tear production, and more similar irregularities.

Depending upon the severity of dry eye, these findings would vary. Contact lens use can be of even greater-concern in these patients, as these clinical indications of dry eye disease may worsen depending on the duration that contact lenses are worn.
It is essential to understand which lenses may be more optimal alternatives for patients with dry eye & astigmatism. Selecting a lens type that offers great hydration, comfort, & clarity without compromising on the modification of refractive error is the primary objective for this group of patients.

Furthermore, consulting with a qualified optometrist is the only reliable way to choose contacts that provide both comfort & functionality. If you consider the contact lenses, reach out to the nearby contact lens vendor at your earliest convenience and schedule a contact lens exam so that we can help you find appropriate options.