That gritty, burning feeling that arrives in the middle of the afternoon is one of the most common reasons why people cut back on contact lenses or stop wearing them altogether. The International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort, a Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) meeting held in 2013, summarized research suggesting that up to half of contact lens wearers experience discomfort at some point. Many of the causes can be identified and addressed.
Quick answer: contact lens dryness usually comes from a mix of tear film changes, lens design and fit, deposits, environment, and daily habits such as long screen sessions. Working with your eye care provider to identify the main cause is usually more effective than trying random fixes.
What causes contact lenses to feel dry?
A contact lens sits on the tear film, the thin layer of moisture that covers the eye. When that film evaporates quickly or becomes unstable, the lens surface can dry out and feel rough. The TFOS workshop findings linked discomfort to reduced tear film stability, faster evaporation, and changes to the eyelid margins and the surface of the eye, including changes to the meibomian glands that help keep the tear film healthy.
Lens factors also matter. The shape of the lens edge, the lens size, and the overall design can all influence comfort. Deposits that build up on a lens over time can make it feel dry, cloudy, or scratchy. Wear time and the care routine play a role as well.
Environment and habits add to the picture. Dry air, air conditioning, wind, and long stretches of screen time can all reduce how often you blink, and infrequent blinking allows the tear film to dry faster between blinks.
Is dry eye the same as contact lens discomfort?
Not always, but the two often overlap. Some people have dry eye that is present with or without contact lenses. Others notice symptoms only when lenses are in place. A careful exam can help tell the difference, which matters because the treatment path can differ.
Habits that may help
Blink fully and deliberately during screen time, and take regular breaks from close work. Keep to the wearing schedule your eye care provider recommends, and do not sleep in your contact lenses. You can utilize lubricating drops (artificial tears) that are compatible with your lenses. Adding a humidifier can help in dry indoor air as well.
Replacing lenses on the schedule your provider recommends limits deposit buildup. Good eyelid hygiene, including warm compresses and eyelid cleansing with specific eyelid cleaner (such as WeLoveEyes foaming cleanser, or TearRestore Eyelid Wipes, or EyeEco Eyelid Cleanser) when advised, can also support a healthier tear film for many people.
How an evaluation can help
At a consultation, we look at your tear film, your eyelids, and the surface of your cornea, and we review how your current lenses fit and move. Depending on what we find, options may include a different lens material or design, an adjusted fit, treatment for an eyelid condition, or a discussion about scleral lenses for patients who remain significantly dry.
Where scleral lenses fit in
Large-diameter scleral lenses rest on the white of the eye and vault over the cornea. They create a fluid reservoir between the lens and the front of the eye, and many patients find this helps with comfort through the day. Results vary from person to person. Fitting takes time, usually several visits with adjustments, and commonly runs about 90 to 120 days.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my contacts feel worse at the end of the day?
Tear film can thin over a long day, and screen use and fatigue can reduce blinking. Deposits on a lens or a poor contact lens fit can also tend to become more noticeable as the day goes on.
Should I stop wearing contacts if they feel dry?
Not necessarily. Remove your lenses and contact your eye care provider promptly if you have pain, redness, light sensitivity, or blurred vision that does not settle. For ordinary dryness, a change in lens, care routine, or habits may be enough.
Can artificial tears fix contact lens dryness?
Artificial tears can relieve symptoms for many people, but they manage the problem rather than correcting the underlying cause. Ongoing care is often part of the plan.
Next steps
If your contacts are uncomfortable it is worth an evaluation. Call 480-420-4243 or request an appointment through our website. We serve patients in Scottsdale and from across the country.
