Protecting Your Eyes: How Specialty Contacts Can Help with Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a common yet frustrating condition that can affect your quality of life. Symptoms like dryness, irritation, redness, and blurry vision can make even simple daily tasks challenging. While traditional treatments like artificial tears and prescription medications can help, specialty contact lenses offer a revolutionary approach to managing Dry Eye Syndrome. At Evolutionary Eye Care, we are dedicated to helping our patients find effective, customized solutions for their eye care needs.

Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly due to an imbalance in their composition. 
 

Common causes include:

• Environmental factors: Wind, air conditioning, or screen time.

• Underlying health conditions: Autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome.

• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): A key factor in evaporative dry eye.

• Contact lens wear: Traditional lenses can exacerbate dryness for some individuals.
   

For those with persistent symptoms, specialty contact lenses like scleral lenses may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
 

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are larger, gas-permeable contact lenses that rest on the sclera (the white part of your eye) rather than the cornea. This unique design offers a range of benefits for individuals with Dry Eye Syndrome:

• Tear Reservoir: Scleral lenses create a fluid-filled reservoir between the lens and the cornea, keeping your eyes hydrated throughout the day.

• Comfortable Fit: The lenses vault over the sensitive corneal surface, reducing irritation and protecting the eyes from environmental factors.

• Improved Vision: By providing a smooth optical surface, scleral lenses can also correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

• Reduced Inflammation: The constant hydration and protection help minimize inflammation caused by dry eye symptoms.
   

How Scleral Lenses Address Dry Eye Syndrome

Unlike traditional lenses, scleral lenses do more than correct vision—they act as a therapeutic barrier. Here’s how they help:

• Hydration: The tear reservoir maintains consistent moisture levels, alleviating symptoms like dryness and discomfort.

• Protection: The lenses shield the cornea from environmental irritants, such as wind and dust, that can worsen dry eye symptoms.

• Promote Healing: For those with corneal damage from chronic dryness, scleral lenses provide a protective environment that supports natural healing.
   

Who Can Benefit from Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are a game-changer for patients with moderate to severe Dry Eye Syndrome, especially those who haven’t found relief with traditional treatments. They are also highly effective for individuals with:

• Keratoconus

• Post-LASIK dryness

• Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)

• Chronic eye irritation
   

If you’ve been struggling with dry eyes and are seeking a long-lasting solution, scleral lenses may be the answer.
 

Getting Started with Scleral Lenses at Evolutionary Eye Care

At Evolutionary Eye Care, we take a personalized approach to managing Dry Eye Syndrome. Our experienced optometrists use advanced diagnostic tools to assess the severity of your dry eye and determine if scleral lenses are right for you. We guide you through the fitting process to ensure optimal comfort and effectiveness.
 

Schedule a consultation with Evolutionary Eye Care to learn more about how scleral lenses can transform your vision and provide dry eye relief. Visit our Downtown office, located in Houston, Texas, or call (346) 485-8100 to get started today.