Can You Use Your Eye Drops with Contact Lenses?
Wearing contact lenses can be a freeing experience for people who have only worn glasses. They are certainly more practical than glasses, especially when you are involved in sports, going out, or when it rains. But, if you are switching from glasses to contact lenses, it is normal to have apprehensions. For example, one of the common questions people tend to have is whether they can use eye drops with contact lenses.
To put it simply, there are numerous types of eye drops available. But, many of them should never be used on your eyes while wearing contact lenses. How can you know which ones are which? If you are wondering, can lubricating eye drops be used with contact eyes, read on.
Firstly, under any circumstances, it is best to consult your optometrist or eye doctor before using eye drops with contact lenses to ensure that they are compatible. But, if you are thinking of getting eye drops for contact lenses, there are some things you should know beforehand.
Types of Eye Drops for Contact Lenses
If your doctor has recommended eye drops for contact lenses, you must follow the directions carefully. Unless specified otherwise, you should remove your contact lenses before administering drops in almost all circumstances. After that, wait around 15 minutes before re-placing your contact lenses.
On the other hand, you will also find different types of non-medicated eye drops such as: ‘dry eye’ eye drops, ‘get the red out’ eye drops, and ‘contact lens’ eye drops.Here’s how they word:
Dry eye drops are available in a number of different formulations. [2]While some of them may be suitable for use with contact lenses, they are meant to not only lubricate the eye, but also to enable recovery of the eye’s surface. It is recommended to stick with eye drops that say ‘for contact lenses’ on the label. Check the instructions before using the drops if you are not sure which brand to use for contacts.
Eye drops for redness diminish redness by shrinking the blood vessels in the conjunctiva. However, these eye drops should not be used with contact lenses as these may have preservatives which you should not allow your lenses to come in direct contact with. .’
Rewetting eye drops for contact lenses, also known as contact lens eye drops, are designed to lubricate and hydrate your eyes so that you can wear your lenses comfortably. [3] Soft contact lenses become rehydrated when you use rewetting eye drops for contact lenses. However, make sure to consult with your eye care specialist to find the best eye drops for contact wearers.
Things to Remember When Using Eye Drops for Contact Lenses
If you are using over-the-counter drops and have not received explicit instructions from your doctor on whether they are safe to use with contact lenses, follow these guidelines:
- When using allergy drops, stick to the 15-minute guideline. This means when you use allergy drops before lens insertion, wait 15 minutes before replacing your lenses.
- Rewetting eye drops for contact lenses are not the same as eye drops for dry eyes. Both are often confused, yet they are vastly different. The latter is used to lubricate the eye, unlike the former, which lubricates the contact lens.
Many of these drops are oil-based or have a thick consistency. This can cause your contact lenses to get cloudy, either momentarily or permanently. Consult your Optometrist or doctor about the best eye drops for contacts wearers if you suffer from dry eyes.
- Pay attention to the labels on rewetting eye drops for contact lenses. The word ‘contacts’ will be prominently displayed on most drops designed for use with contact lenses. They are designed to lubricate the eye’s surface and lens to make wearing them more pleasant.
With Bausch and Lomb, you can choose Renu Multiplus Rewetting Drops for contact wearers . When it comes to vision-related products, it is best to go for trusted products so that you can rely on their quality. So, consult with your Optometrists or doctor and find the most-suited eye drops and contact lenses for you here.
Disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be considered as medical advice, and it is not meant to take the place of a doctor’s advice. Always see your eye doctor if you have any specific questions.
[1] https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/environments?sso=y
[2] https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye/
[3] https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/can-you-use-contact-lens-rewetting-drops-to-moiste
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