Contact Lenses, Dry Eyes & Birth Control Pills

Eye Care & Surgery Center NJ Bladeless LASIK Laser Cataract Surgeon Blog

Monday, May 19, 2014

Contact Lenses, Dry Eyes & Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills may make wearing contact lenses less comfortable as dry eye problems can be more troubling. What does having dry eyes have to do with wearing contact lenses and birth control pills? It is noteworthy that there is a relationship between dry eye symptoms in woman using oral contraceptives who wear contact lenses. Researchers reported on a study in Cornea where they evaluated the interaction between oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, contact lens wear and dry eye signs and symptoms in healthy young women. While there were no differences in dry eyes between the phases of the menstrual cycle and no evidence that tear osmolarity-or saltiness-was affected by OCP or contact lens use in the young women, it was clear that the combination of OCP use and contact lens wear together may increase the severity of dry eye symptoms.

If you or someone you know has a question about dry eyes, oral contraceptives or birth control pill use and contact lens wear please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

With locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.