About 50% of contact lens wearers suffer from dry eye syndrome, either occasionally or persistently. But just what is it that causes dry eyes? There can be two answers: either insufficient tear production, or any defects in the tear film. When your eyes lack lubrication and moisture on their surface, you may start to feel various symptoms.

Dry eye symptoms

The causes of these dry-eye symptoms can be linked to our daily activities or our environments. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, then you’re probably already familiar with some of these symptoms, but there are other factors, too. Heated and air conditioned spaces can contribute to dry eyes. Computer vision syndrome is also a major contributor to dry eyes. In our busy, modern lives, many of us spend excessive amounts of time focusing on screens, whether on our mobile phones or computers. The blue light emitted by these devices causes eye strain and reduced blinking, leading to dry, fatigued eyes. If any of this sounds familiar, then it’s time to learn more about how to prevent and how to treat your dry eyes.

Dry eye prevention

You can prevent dry eyes easily. We only have one pair of eyes for a lifetime, so it’s important to treat them right and don’t neglect the basics. A healthy diet can go a long way in preserving and maintaining eye health. Learn more about eye health nutrition, and find out what vitamins for eyes are the best to keep your vision in focus. If dry eye symptoms are interfering in your daily life, look for moisturizing eye drops that will restore moisture and help you blink easily again. For contact lens wearers, it is important to choose eye drops and sprays that are suitable for use with contact lenses. Your optician or pharmacist can recommend an appropriate product. The lubricating agent is one of the most significant factors that can affect the comfort of wearing contact lenses, and, in general, the health and comfort of your eyes, even if you do not use contact lenses. The eye-care market is full of many different eye drops that promise quick relief for dry, tired eyes. Today’s revolu­tionary lubricating agent is known as sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate is naturally occurring in the human body, and can be found in connective (joint fluid), epithelial, and neural tissues. It is also found in large quantities in the vitreous humor, which is the jelly-like tissue that makes up the eyeball. The biological function of sodium hyaluronate:

• absorbs water (holds about 1000× its volume)
• acts as both a lubricant and aids cell regeneration
• has an analgesic effect
• promotes tissue healing

Products containing sodium hyaluronate

Some manufacturers are beginning to include this outstanding lubricating substance in the actual production of contact lenses. In addition to helping the lenses retain moisture, sodium hyaluronate also makes the transmission of oxygen (breathability) more effective. It is slowly released to ensure comfort and moisture throughout the day. There are also solutions, eye drops, and eye sprays containing sodium hyaluronate to ease dry eye symptoms. To prevent dry eyes, consider a contact lens that is enriched with this revolutionary material. Learn more about TopVue contact lenses, a complete range of lenses containing sodium hyaluronate. Keep in mind, it is important to keep your lenses clean and practice good hygiene. Laim-Care, AQ Pure or Gelone solutions are popular, multipurpose solutions that also contain this substance. And whenever you feel your eyes getting dry, make sure you have eye drops and eye sprays for immediate relief.