Yes, you can use certain eye drops with contact lenses, but there are rules around which drops are safe to use and how you should use them. The safest option is to book an appointment with your optometrist and bring your eye drops to make sure they’re alright to use during contact lens wear. Here are some types of eye drops that can be used with contacts:
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Rewetting Eye Drops: These drops are made to moisten and lubricate the eyes and are safe to use with contacts. They can help to relieve dryness and discomfort caused by contact lens wear.
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Dry Eye Drops: These drops are made to treat dry eye symptoms. Some types of dry eye drops are thinner, while others are thicker. The thinner drops may be okay for use with contacts, but it’s generally better to use rewetting eye drops made for use with contact lenses. Thicker dry eye drops can actually cloud your vision or “gum up” your contact lenses, so it’s best to contact your eye doctor before using dry eye drops with contact lenses.
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Preservative-free Eye Drops: These drops are a great option for those who are sensitive to certain chemicals. They provide long-lasting relief for dryness and irritation and are safe to use with contacts.
Here are some types of eye drops that should not be used with contacts:
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Vasoconstrictor (Redness Relief) Eye Drops: These drops contain ingredients called vasoconstrictors, which shrink the tiny blood vessels in the eye to reduce eye redness. Using these drops while wearing contacts is never a good idea, as they can leave residue on your lenses, blur your vision, and even cause more redness to occur.
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Medicated Eye Drops: These drops treat eye diseases and infections and are not typically approved for use with contacts. It’s best to avoid wearing your lenses if you know you’ll be using them.
When using eye drops with contacts, it’s important to follow these steps for safe use:
- Remove your contact lenses and store them safely.
- Tilt your head back to keep the eye drops in the eye.
- Hold the bottle over the eye and squeeze without touching the tip of the bottle to your eye.
- Wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting your contact lenses.
It’s also important to check if the eye drops are compatible with the type of contact lens solution you use.
