Before you can start wearing contact lenses you will need to book an appointment with an optician who will assess your ability to wear them and the type of lens most suitable for you. It will depend on what the cause is of the dryness feeling as to what they recommend.
Eye health
Can I wear contact lenses if my eyes feel dry?
Before you can start wearing contact lenses you will need to book an appointment with an optician who will assess your ability to wear them and the type of lens most suitable for you. It will depend on what the cause is of the dryness feeling as to what they recommend. They might suggest a material that better maintains its moisture and discuss whether a daily disposable or a reusable disposable contact lens would be more suitable. They may also need to recommend treatment for the lids, or rewetting drops for the eyes.
Although contact lens comfort can be reduced if eyes feel dry, some of the best contact lens materials can really make a difference to success.
Your optician will advise you better, but if the lenses do start to feel dry, it might be necessary to limit the number of hours or days you wear your contact lenses.
How often should I have my eyes and those of my family checked to ensure that they are healthy?
You and your family should routinely have an eye examination at intervals as advised by your optician. Click here to find an optician near you.
Are there any common signs in the eyes that might indicate an eye problem?
If you have any sudden changes in your vision such as flashes, floaters, loss of vision, double vision, pain, light sensitivity, redness, irritation or any other unexpected symptoms then you should immediately seek advice from your optician or GP.
Who should I see about my eye health and sight?
During a routine eye examination, the optician will examine your eyes to check both your vision and your eye health. They will recommend either glasses and/or contact lenses if required making a recommendation that is best suited to your needs and lifestyle. If there were any concerns that the optician felt required further medical attention, they may refer you to an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specialises in eyes).
Can children see an optician for their eye health?
Yes, children can see an optician to assess their eye health at any age. It is recommended that an optician sees your child before they start school. Vision problems can be one reason a child does not perform well at school and the earlier any visual impairments are detected the better. There is no minimum age for visiting the optician, so it is very important to have any problems detected before they develop further.