The 10 Best Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes of 2024 (2024)

• Our Picks

• How We Selected

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust Verywell Health

The ULTRA lenses by Bausch & Lomb check off two important boxes, which is why they're our pick for best overall. They’re made from silicone hydrogel, which not only keeps eyes moist but also allows more oxygen to pass through than other materials. These lenses have a high water content, so they're made to last all day (i.e., your eyes aren’t going to dry out no matter how long your work day is).

To top it off, ULTRA lenses also take our increasingly digitized world into consideration: according to Bausch & Lomb, when you stare at a screen, you tend to blink less frequently, which dries out your eyes. With ULTRA lenses, though, less blinking isn’t an issue; whether you spend all day on your laptop, phone, or tablet, your contacts will keep your eyes hydrated.

The Biofinity Contact Lenses by CooperVision are also made with silicone hydrogel and are high in moisture andbreathability.

“Silicone hydrogel technology improves the gas permeability of a contact, and its low water content does not dehydrate like older materials,” saysSteve Menzel, OD, at Clarkson Eyecare. “[It also] does not require the same amount of water as older materials, so it does not draw as much water from an already dry eye.”

These contacts stay wet on their own rather than pulling moisture from your eyes. Combined with their high oxygen permeability and affordable cost, we think you’ll come back to these comfortable and budget-friendly faves month after month.

If you feel like your eyes almost never get a break from screens between your work and home life, you might want to try the Biofinity Energys by CooperVision for maximum screen-staring comfort.

Featuring Digital Zone Optics, Biofinity Energys works to combat digital eye strain in three different ways: relieving eye tiredness, easing the transition from on-screen to off-screen (and vice versa), and reducing eye muscle stress. Additionally, Biofinity Energys are made with a just-right water percentage and silicone hydrogel, making them moisture-retaining and breathable for people prone to screen-related dryness.

Most eye care providers will tell you that wearing daily disposable lenses is one of the easiest ways to reduce dryness and irritation; getting a fresh, clean lens every day means you’re not dealing with any of yesterday’s accumulated debris or residue.

Alcon Dailies Total1 Lenses are a cost-effective option for anyone wanting to use daily disposable lenses, but we chose them as our favorite daily pick because they go above and beyond when it comes to comfort. Even you’ll change your lenses every day, Total1 lenses are designed to promote the health of your natural tear film, encouraging your eyes to stay moist on all their own. They also have a version available for people with astigmatism, and a version for people with presbyopia (multifocals).

If your eyes are sensitive to light changes—going from day to night or off-screen to on-screen—don’t just ignore the warning signs. Acuvue OASYS transitional lenses are made to accommodate all the shifts in light we face every day, whether that’s strain from screen-related blue light, daytime glare from the sun, or common disturbances that happen at night, like halos and blurriness.

These transitional lenses respond within 90 seconds to changes in light and dark and can block up to 15 percent of blue light when you’re on a screen or device. Just remember that you still need to wear sunglasses when you’re outside, since the UV protection these lenses offer only applies to the parts of your eyes covered by your lenses.

Disposable weekly contacts are another great option for people with dry eyes who want fresh contacts more than once a month but don’t want to shell out the extra cash for dailies. Clerio Vision’s Extreme H2O lenses have an impressive water content and premium breathability for a comfortable fit all week long.

The lenses can be worn for one or two weeks before you have to toss them out. Their 54% water content is perfect for wearers with dry eyes. The lens is also compatible for wearers with astigmatism, so no worries if you need a more specialized fit.

Did you know you could wear contacts even with a multifocal prescription? You can! The Alcon Air Optix Aqua Multifocal lenses make these focal transitions super easy, accommodating a range of vision needs while also working to combat dryness. Not to mention, the Air Optix Multifocal lenses can make the shift between prescription strengths seamless, so they're great whether you're nearsighted or farsighted.

With a water content of 33%, your lenses will not only stay wet, but they’ll help prevent irritating debris and buildup on your lenses.

People with astigmatismmay have a harder time finding comfortable contact lenses since this condition (marked by an uneven curve to your eye’s cornea or lens) can cause problems with both your near and far vision. Thankfully, though, it’s not impossible.

“All major U.S. contact lens manufacturers produce disposable—daily disposable, bi-weekly, and monthly replacement—soft contact lenses that correct astigmatism for the overwhelming majority of ‘astigmats’,” says Dr. Berman.

We like the Acuvue OASYS lenses designed for astigmatism since they have a solid water content of 38%, Hydraclear Plus technology to promote a comfortable feel, and stabilizing technology to prevent your lenses from shifting too easily on your eye with normal eye movements (a common reason for discomfort with regular contacts for “astigmats”).

People with eyes that are dry and sensitive (i.e., prone to redness, irritation, and itching) need to take special care when choosing contact lenses. Alcon’s AquaComfort Plus Dailies combine the best of many different worlds: sky-high water content of 69%, blink-activated moisturization, and the opportunity to change your lenses each day for a fresh start.

If you often experience a gritty feelingor tend to count down the minutes until you can take your contacts out, the daily disposable nature of these contacts, combined with their extreme moisturization, might be the answer to all your sensitive eye problems.

Whether it’s for fun or function, sometimes you need a reliable colored contact that not only improves your vision but doesn’t irritate your eyes in the process.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of colored contact lenses focusing on dry eyes, but you’re not totally out of luck. The Alcon Air Optix line features a colored lens option that includes a 33% water content and silicone hydrogel for breathability. While you still might not be able to rock those lavender or emerald green eyes all day, every day, the Air Optix Colors are probably your most comfortable—and colorful—bet.

Final Verdict

We picked theBausch & Lomb ULTRA Contact Lensesbecause of their longer lifespan and 46% water content. It’s a quality contact for dry eyes at a good price. But if you’re looking for a shorter-term contact lens with 97% moisture retention and one of the highest percentages of water content, consider the weeklyClerio Vision Extreme H2O Soft Contact Lenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can you use eye drops while wearing contacts for dry eyes?

  Eyedrops can be used with contact lenses but make sure that the eye drops aredesigned to be used with contacts. There are also advantages to using eye drops for treating dry eye as they can repair thetear film layeraround your eye.

  “The tear film lubricating the cornea is made up of three layers: a lipid layer, a mucin layer, and a water layer,” explains Dr. Shedlo. “Disruption to any of these three layers will result in the tear film breaking up and complaints of dry eyes. This is why lubricating eye drops are the first course of treatment most doctors recommend for dry eyes.”

  If you’re unsure if a brand of eyedrops works with your contact lenses, read the manufacturer label (yes, even the fine print!) or talk to an eye doctor. Most products will be very clear about their recommended usage and any potential warnings that you should be aware of when using their product.

• Are daily disposable contacts better for dry eyes?

  Daily disposable contacts are especially helpful if you have trouble regularly cleaning and disinfecting your reusable contact lenses, but the added cost of wearing new lenses each day can add up quickly.

  “The biggest issue with conventional reusable contact lenses is the build-up of deposits on the lenses,” says Dr. Eubanks. “To take care of these deposits, conventional soft contact lenses must be cleaned and disinfected daily. This cleaning process requires high compliance, and a high percentage of patients fail to perform this process correctly.”

  Switching out your contacts daily removes the need to clean them after each use, meaning your eyes are at a lower risk of infection or discomfort that can lead to dry eyes.

• How often should you change your contacts if you have dry eyes?

  It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s replacement schedule and not wear your contact lenses for longer than recommended. However, if you are finding your contacts cause eye irritation or making your dry eye symptoms worse, it’s worth considering swapping them out for new lenses more often.

  “If you have dry eyes and can wear contacts comfortably, there is no reason to change them more frequently than is recommended by the manufacturer,” says Dr. Shedlo. “If the contacts are not very comfortable, you may want to consider reducing the wearing time and remove your lenses.”

  Many of the contact lenses on this list are not recommended for overnight use either, so make sure that you are removing them regularly and not wearing them longer than recommended.