What percent of contact lens wearers experience dry eye with the lens wear?

• A. 50
• B. 30
• C. 60
• D. 20

Answer: (A)

Dry eye symptoms during contact lens wear are common because the lens sits on the tear film and disrupts its stability, distribution, and evaporation dynamics. This disruption often leads to quicker tear film breakup, increased friction with blinking, and overall dryness or discomfort while wearing lenses. Because of these effects, many studies find that about half of soft contact lens wearers report some degree of dryness or discomfort during wear. The exact rate varies with factors like the population, lens material and fit, duration of wear, and environment, but this magnitude matches what is typically seen in clinical practice. Smaller percentages would understate how often wearers experience dryness, while larger ones aren’t as consistently observed across diverse groups. In practice, this means addressing tear film quality, considering higher-permeability or better-wetted lens materials, adjusting wear time, and using compatible lubricating drops to improve comfort.