Contact lens wearers:  Are you suffering like crazy with dry eyes this season?
536163
Hiya - yeh it's most probably down to the high pollen count, I use the soft disposable lenses and still my eyes feel dry when the pollen kicks in, only thing i can suggest is use some eye drops (they really refresh dry/swollen eyes), but be careful as i know with some contact lenses you're unable to use some eye drops... check the back of the packaging before u buy, hope your eyes improve soon :o) x
1111236
Your tears will be dry and your contacts may 'roll' up your eyes, kinda like if you fall asleep with them on and then you have to locate them when you awake on your eye. I have contacts and I've had surgery, think of your surgery as if you are taking a heavy nap.
329437
I've used Renu and Opti-free.  My eye doctor says it's a good idea to pick a brand and stick with it.  Switching around (like I'd originally done based on what was cheapest) can irritate your eyes.\n\nAlso, using eye drops without preservatives can be helpful, too.  GenTeal is one brand I really like.  Not sure if Refresh preservative-free, but they helped me when I wore contacts.  \n\nIt might be dry eyes in general.  So, you can get two kinds of drops...one for use with contacts lenses while they're in your eyes, and one for use without contacts for just before you put them in, or just after you take them out.
512202
I'm not sure if there's any link with menopause itself, but dry eye is much more common in middle-aged and older people.
516880
no. your eye gets damaged from continued exposure to the contact lens.
772053
The Truth:\n\nThe 2-Week contact lenses are EXACTLY the same as Daily Wear, which are EXACTLY the same as the ones you wear for a year.\n\nThe difference is only in the price and marketing.  I had a single pair, which I took out and soaked every night, and I wore them for a year, which is exactly what my opthalmologist said to do. One pair for one year, and everything was fine... They could have lasted longer, but the eyes change too much in a year.\n\nI now wear the "2-Week" contacts... which I thought meant you could wear them for 2 weeks non-stop....WRONG!   Well, wrong, according to my optometerist.  She says 2-Week contacts must still be taken out and soaked every night.  (I thought 'what's the point, I had to do that with my 1-Year contacts also)  She also says that you can actually get 4-6 weeks out of them...\n\nBut... I wear them for 1 or 2 weeks continuously, then let them soak for a week or 2, while I wear another pair, which I then take out and replace with the previous pair, back and forth.  I have had absolutely no problems using this method.  If I ever have any prolonged irritation or discomfort, I toss the offending pair out and use a fresh pair.  Just make sure you keep your cases clean and your solution fresh.\n\nI'm sure contact lens makers and optometrists would just have a fit and tell you how horrible the above method is, but they make lots of $$$$ selling you at a great price those tiny gels that cost them pennies to make.
365946
I recomend the soft, two week, Acuvue contacts. I'm highly active and those are the best that work for me.\n\nPlease remember (and this is from experience) always take your doctor's advice about contact care. When I was younger I left my contacts in for several days and I got a bad eye infection that almost cost me my eye. Remove and clean your contacts every night and throw them away at the end of their cycle.\n\nAlso, as another tip, I can't put contacts directly in my eye (straight on my pupil)...If you can't either here's how you do it...\n\n1. Prepare the contact for insertion as your doctor tells you. \n2. With the contact on the tip of your finger get ready to place it in your eye. \n3. We'll do the left eye first. Okay, look right as far as you can and with the other hand pull the bottom eyelid down. \n4. Place the contact in the white of your eye (See? Instead of straight in.) \n5. Carefully close your eye and turn your eye back to where you are looking staight (with eye still closed) and push the contact into place. \n6. Repeat for the other side (only opposite). \n\nNow you remove them the same way...By catching by the side instead of straight on. This might take practice but the doc won't let you leave till he sees you can put a pair in by yourself so be paitent.\n\nGood luck! (And I know you are going to L O V E your first pair of sunglasses!!! :D)
306223
There is a disease called SJORENS SYNDROME it is commanly referred to "DRY EYE SYNDROME". The person has dry eyes, dry mouth and other dry areas. It is treated by several drugs out there. One is called EVOXAC. A arthritis specialist usually treats this. So the answer to your question could be this instead of dehydration.
1161504
I agree with what the others said.  I've had disposable contacts for years and love them.  Their really easy to handle, easy to use and you can usually find good deals online.  Just be sure you follow the doc's advice, ALWAYS wash your hands before handling and change them out regularly.  \n\nA lot of people build up protein in their eyes so after awhile the contacts get all gunked up...technical term :) .  But you don't have to worry about that with disposables unless you wear them too long, but you'll know it because they'll start to feel weird.  \n\nI wear Acuvue 2's and normally you can't even feel them when they're in.  When I start to feel something or they start bugging my eyes, it's time for a fresh pair.\n\nHope that helps.  This site might help too.\n\nhttp://www.contactlensbuyersguide.com\n\nGood luck!
951057
my sister had a similar problem a while back. it turned out to not be pink eye. it was an allergic reaction to the solution and contacts she was using. i would suggest calling your eye doctor and re-evaulating your choice in lenses.
1094429
if you take care of your contacts, there shouldn't be any discomfort or side effects.  Every contact brand I have tried was ok.  I use the monthly ones, but i normally just wear them until they aren't comfortable any more.  They shouldn't fall out at all if you have the right RX for your eyes.
782361
do what the doctor told you to do...you may be making your eyes worse by not wearing them...if you really dont like then, then why dont you get contacts?
686264
I wore contacts for about two years, and I had horrible habits with them; I had the "Night and Day" kind, but I would keep them in for up to two weeks at a time. I used the "No rub" solution, but barely cleaned them, and didn't put fresh solution in the case.  I ended up getting multiple ulcerated corneas in each eye, and can no longer wear contacts for more than one day out of every two weeks at the most.  I also have at least three scars in each eye, not to mention the extreme pain and light sensitivity I experienced when the infection was still there.  However, I'm lucky to still have my vision and the ability to wear contacts, no matter how infrequently.  Basically, keeping your contact lenses absolutely pristine is extremely important.
183868
If it is itchy I would say allergies.  This definitely is the time of year for that.  However if it just hurts then you might have an infection or pink eye. For allergies I take claritin and it works great without making you tired.  Hope this helps!
1058493
i think that it might be okay if you keep it in the solution for a month (you might want to replace the solution every 5-7 days.. but check with your optometrist first) but DON'T swim with them.. when soft contact lenses get completely wet, they stick to your eyeball like no other.. and it becomes really difficult to remove them.. i know.. from experience :/
30713
Wearing contacts are a difficult adjustment for your eyes.  They must get used to a foreign body residing there.  Your doctor or optician likely recommended wearing them for short periods initially, working your way up to wearing them all day.  Have you been doing that?  If not, it could easily tire and irritate your eyes.  Giving your eyes some rest from the contacts may be enough to solve the problem.  Also, an over-the-counter eye care product may help as well.\n\nIf you are following their instructions and continue to have problems, you should probably return and have your eyes checked to make sure there are no other problems.
871902
I am a nurse working on the night shift.  I often see people sleeping with their eyes open on my hourly rounds.  It really creeps me out!  Sleeping with eyes open would dry eyes out terribly and corneal abrasions would probably occur.  Not a  silly question.  You might also post it in the health forum.