The 10 Best Selling Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes in 2023

Contact lenses are convenient and comfortable. But wearing contacts for long periods can result in dry eyes.

Having dry eyes can turn wearing contacts into an uncomfortable experience, and it may even put you off contacts for good. If you have given up on your contacts because they often dried out your eyes, it is possible you just did not have the right kind of contacts in the first place.

In this article, you will learn about dry eyes, the causes of dry eyes, and tips on managing them if you wear contacts. We will also provide you with contact lens brands that we believe are good for dry eyes.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a condition in which a person does not have enough quality tears to lubricate the eye. Tears are essential for maintaining the health of the eye’s front surface (cornea). Tears also help provide clear vision. Dry eye is a common problem among older adults.Addressing dry eye often involves lifestyle adjustments, such as managing screen time and using artificial tears, or in some cases, prescription medications or specialized procedures, as recommended by an eye care professional.

What causes dry eye?

With each blink of your eyelids, tears spread across your cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce your risk for eye infection, and wash away debris in your eyes. Tears also keep the surface of your eyes smooth and clear. Any excess tears in your eyes flow into small drainage ducts in the inner corners of your eyelids, which drain into the back of your nose. Dry eyes can occur when tear production and drainage are not in balance.

But that is not the only cause of dry eye. According to the American Optometric Association, dry eye can develop for many reasons, including:

• Age – Tear production tends to diminish with age, so dry eyes are a common and often a chronic problem among older adults, particularly those over 65.
• Gender – Women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, menopause, and oral contraceptives.
• Medications – Antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants can reduce tear production.
• Medical conditions – People with arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems are more likely to develop dry eyes than those who do not have the aforementioned medical conditions.
• Environmental conditions – Exposure to smoke, wind, and dry air can make tears evaporate faster, resulting in dry eye symptoms.
• Long-term use of contact lenses – Contacts do not necessarily cause dry eyes, but they can be a factor in developing dry eyes.
• Surgery – Certain refractive eye surgeries can also reduce tear production.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

People with dry eyes may experience the following symptoms:

• Redness
• Gritty, scratchy, or burning eyes
• A feeling of something in their eyes
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Stringy mucus near the eye

Do contact lenses cause dry eye?

Contact lenses themselves don’t directly cause dry eyes. Instead, extended wear without proper care can lead to dryness. Different lens materials have varying moisture-retaining abilities. Soft lenses allow more oxygen but can absorb tears, while rigid gas permeable lenses offer a stiffer barrier. Taking breaks, especially in dry or screen-heavy environments, can help. Differentiate between dry eyes due to lens wear and dry eye syndrome (DES), which can affect anyone, even non-contact lens wearers. It’s important to consult your optometrist for proper guidance.

What are the best contact lenses for dry eyes?

Contact lens wearers are generally predisposed to experiencing dry eyes. But that should not stop you from wearing contacts. Many contacts available today are ideal for people with dry eyes. Silicone hydrogel contacts, for example, are a good choice for people with dry eyes because they allow plenty of oxygen into the eyes. Our eyes need oxygen to stay moist, clear, and healthy.

For your reference, we have listed below some of the best-selling silicone hydrogel contacts on Lens.com. When discussing silicone hydrogel contacts with your eye care professional (ECP), keep these in mind.

1. ACUVUE® OASYS with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS Technology

ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS Technology are bi-weekly contact lenses that keep your eyes moist and comfortable. These contacts are ideal for contact lens wearers who experience eye dryness.

• Replacement schedule
  – 1-2 week replacement
• Material
  – Senofilcon A (62% polymer)
• Water content
  – 38%
• Features
  – HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology keeps the contacts wet and smooth for all-day comfort
  – Blocks more than 99% of UVB and 95% of UVA rays
  – Visibility tint and inside-out markings make for easier handling
• Lenses per box
  – 12 or 24 lenses per box (6-month or 12-month supply)

2. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contact lenses provide exceptional hydration to keep eyes feeling fresh and healthy. You can experience all-day comfort and consistently clear vision with these contacts, even when staring at a digital screen.

• Replacement schedule
  – Monthly replacement
• Material
  – Samfilcon A (54% polymer)
• Water content
  – 46%
• Features
  – MoistureSeal™ Technology ensures exceptional breathability and comfort
  – Visibility tint makes the lenses easy to handle during insertion and removal
• Lenses per box
  – 6 lenses per box (6-month supply)

3. AIR OPTIX® AQUA

AIR OPTIX AQUA contact lenses are made to keep your eyes clear, moist, and comfortable for up to one month. An incredibly breathable lens, Air Optix AQUA contacts allow up to five times more oxygen to reach your eyes than other popular contact lens brands.

• Replacement schedule
  – Monthly replacement
• Material
  – Lotrafilcon B (67% polymer)
• Water content
  – 33%
• Features
  – SmartShield® Technology protects the lenses from irritating deposits
  – TriComfort™ Technology lets the lenses breathe and retain moisture all-day
  – Visibility tint makes the lenses easy to handle during insertion and removal
• Lenses per box
  – 6 lenses per box (6-month supply)

4. Biofinity®

Biofinity contact lenses bring you a remarkable balance of comfort and breathability in a monthly disposable lens.

• Replacement schedule
  – Monthly replacement
• Material
  – Comfilcon A (52% polymer)
• Water content
  – 48%
• Features
  – Aquaform® Technology locks in water so you can enjoy all-day comfort
  – Aberration Neutralizing System™ helps enhance vision quality by minimizing optical imperfections in your eyes
  – Smooth, rounded edges enhance comfort
  – Visibility tint makes the lenses easy to handle during insertion and removal
• Lenses per box
  – 6 lenses per box (6-month supply)

To recap, here are the best silicone hydrogel contacts for dry eyes compared:

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Daily disposable contacts are also an excellent option for people with dry eyes because they are thrown away at the end of the day. Because of their frequent replacement schedule, daily disposable contacts are arguably more hygienic than reusable contacts. You also do not have to worry about your contacts drying out due to improper cleaning and storage with daily disposable contacts.

The following daily disposable contacts are especially popular on Lens.com:

5. 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST

1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST contact lenses keep moisture in and irritation out, making them ideal for people with sensitive eyes.

• Replacement schedule
  – Daily replacement
• Material
  – Etafilcon A (42% polymer)
• Water content
  – 58%
• Features
  – LACREON® Technology ensures a comfortable contact lens-wearing experience
  – Class 2 UV protection blocks over 97% UVB and 80% UVA rays
  – Visibility tint makes the lenses easy to handle during insertion and removal
• Lenses per box
  – 30 or 90 lenses per box (1-month or 3-month supply)

6. Biotrue® ONEday

Biotrue ONEday contact lenses are the only daily disposable lens made from HyperGel™. These contacts also maintain nearly 100% of their moisture for a full 16 hours.

• Replacement schedule
  – Daily replacement
• Material
  – Nesofilcon A (22% polymer)
• Water content
  – 78%
• Features
  – HyperGel matches the cornea’s water content to provide all-day comfort
  – High-definition optics reduce halos and glare in low-light conditions
  – Blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays
  – Inside-out indicator and visibility tint make for easier handling
• Lenses per box
  – 90 lenses per box (3-month supply)

7. DAILIES TOTAL1®

DAILIES TOTAL1 contact lenses are the only contact lenses to feature both Water Gradient and SmarTears® Technology for comfort that lasts.

• Replacement schedule
  – Daily replacement
• Material
  – Delefilcon A (67% polymer)
• Water content
  – 33%
• Features
  – Water Gradient Technology creates a cushion of moisture on your eye for improved comfort
  – SmarTears Technology helps to stabilize the lipid layer of the tear film to ensure all-day comfort
  – Visibility tint makes the lenses easy to handle during insertion and removal
• Lenses per box
  – 90 lenses per box (3-month supply)

To recap, here are the best daily disposable contacts for dry eyes compared:

	1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST	Biotrue ONEday	DAILIES TOTAL1
Lens.com Price	$36.74 (30PK) $52.74 (90PK)	$41.54 (90PK)	$73.64 (90PK)
Rebates Available	Yes, with 4-box order	Yes, with 4-box order	Yes, with 4-box order
Average Lens.com Customer Rating	9.1/10	9.4/10	9.3/10
Availability	In stock	In stock	In stock

Note: All prices are accurate as of 01/10/2023 but are subject to change without notice.

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Additionally, low water content contacts are good for people with dry eyes. It is a common misconception that high water content contacts are ideal for those with dry eyes. More water means more moisture, right? As it turns out, high water content contacts can actually exacerbate dry eye issues because they absorb tears in the same way a sponge absorbs water.

Listed below are some of our top-selling low-water content contacts for your reference:

8. ACUVUE OASYS 1-DAY with HydraLuxe® TECHNOLOGY

ACUVUE OASYS 1-DAY with HydraLuxe® TECHNOLOGY contact lenses keep eyes moist for superior, all-day comfort.

• Replacement schedule
  – Daily replacement
• Material
  – Senofilcon A (62% polymer)
• Water content
  – 38%
• Features
  – HydraLuxe Technology lubricates the lens for effortless blinking and superior comfort that’s gentle on the eye
  – Blocks 99% of UVB and 90% of UVA rays
  – Inside-out indicator and visibility tint make for easier handling
• Lenses per box
  – 90 lenses per box (3-month supply)

9. PureVision®

PureVision contact lenses deliver exceptional vision and outstanding comfort to those who spend long hours in front of a screen.

• Replacement schedule
  – Monthly replacement
• Material
  – Balafilcon A (64% polymer)
• Water content
  – 36%
• Features
  – AerGel material resists deposit buildup and stays moist all-day
  – Enhanced optical design corrects spherical aberrations
  – Rounded edge design ensures that the contacts fit comfortably in your eyes
  – Visibility tint makes the lenses easy to handle during insertion and removal
• Lenses per box
  – 6 lenses per box (6-month supply)

10. AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde®

AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde contact lenses offer a comfortable contact lens-wearing experience for those who suffer from dry eyes.

• Replacement schedule
  – Monthly replacement
• Material
  – Lotrafilcon B (67% polymer)
• Water content
  – 33%
• Features
  – SmartShield Technology protects the lenses from irritating deposits
  – HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix technology attracts and maintains surface moisture on the lens for up to 16 hours
  – Visibility tint makes the lenses easy to handle during insertion and removal
• Lenses per box
  – 6 lenses per box (6-month supply)

To recap, here are the best low water content contacts for dry eyes compared:

	ACUVUE OASYS 1-DAY with HydraLuxe	PureVision	AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde
Lens.com Price	$69.74 (90PK)	$47.64 (6PK)	$30.64 (6PK)
Rebates Available	Yes, with 4-box order	Yes, with 4-box order	Yes, with 4-box order
Average Lens.com Customer Rating	9/10	9.4/10	9.5/10
Availability	In stock	In stock	In stock

Note: All prices are accurate as of 08/23/2022 but are subject to change without notice.

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Note that there is no single contact lens best for dry eyes. As some articles do, it is misleading to claim that there can be a best contact lens for dry eyes for everyone. Be aware that some websites with similar lists use affiliate links that earn a commission when readers click them. We do not use such links on Eyestyle. Instead, we give you quality information (e.g., water content, material type, and replacement schedule) to help you compare one contact lens to another.

Only your ECP can choose the best contact lens for you if dry eye is a significant concern. The best thing we can do at Lens.com is to inform you of the different contact lens brands that may be ideal for people with dry eyes so that you are better equipped to discuss your options with your ECP.

How can you manage dry eyes while wearing contact lenses?

It is a common misconception that dry eyes and contact lenses are like oil and water. Many people believe that having dry eyes rules out their ability to wear contacts. But the truth is that having dry eyes does not mean you can and should never wear contacts. It can, however, make wearing contacts challenging.

If you have dry eyes and wear contacts (or want to wear contacts), follow these tips to ensure a comfortable contact lens-wearing experience:

• Wash and dry your hands before handling your contacts – Handling your contacts with clean hands makes it less likely that you will transfer debris and pathogens from your fingers to your contacts and into your eyes. Before handling your contacts, wash your hands with water and mild soap, then dry them thoroughly with a lint-free towel.
• Remove your contacts before bed – Always remove your contacts before bed, especially if they are not FDA-approved for overnight wear. When you sleep in your contacts, your eyes do not receive as much oxygen as they otherwise would. This creates a potential breeding ground for bacteria and increases your risk of developing an eye infection. Even if you do not end up with an eye infection, sleeping in your contacts can mess with your tear film and exacerbate your dry eyes.
• Replace your contacts as scheduled – Replacing your contact lenses as directed is essential for keeping your eyes healthy. If your contacts are monthly replacement lenses, discard and replace them after 30 days. If they are daily disposable lenses, discard them at the end of the day and use a fresh pair of lenses in the morning.
• Change out the solution in your contact lens case daily – Reusing contact lens solution decreases the effectiveness of its disinfecting properties, leading to issues like inflammation and infection. Instead of topping off the solution in your contact lens case, empty your case and put in new solution every day.
• Use rewetting drops even when your eyes do not feel dry – Rewetting drops, also known as artificial tears, are a contact lens wearer’s first line of defense against dry eyes. But you should use them even when your eyes feel fine because rewetting drops help prevent dryness, not just relieve it.
• Give your eyes a break – Even if you wear FDA-approved contacts for overnight wear, it is a good idea to let your eyes breathe for a few hours without contacts. This allows your eyes to get plenty of oxygen from the air and receive nourishment from your tear film without contacts in the way.
• See your ECP regularly – If you wear contacts, it is important to see your ECP regularly to ensure that your prescription is up-to-date. Your ECP will also evaluate your tear film and see if your contacts still work for your eyes. Do not wait until there is a problem before visiting your ECP.

Conclusion

Contact lenses do not necessarily cause dry eyes; however, some contacts may be better suited for people with dry eyes. Only your ECP can determine the best contacts for you if you have dry eyes, but it may help keep yourself informed of your options. Keep the brands mentioned above in mind when discussing options with your ECP.

Lens.com carries all of the major brands mentioned in this article. Take advantage of our discount prices when shopping Lens.com.