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Top 8 Best Eye Drops for Contacts

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Written by Andrew Le, MD.
Medically reviewed by
Last updated June 7, 2024

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Contact lenses are a wonderful option for enhancing your vision compared to wearing eyeglasses. Despite this, contact lenses come with some disadvantages such as dry eyes which can be painful and may lead to eye infections. This is where the eye drops specially designed for contact lenses come into play.

The eye drops for contacts are specifically designed to help lubricate the eyes when they become dry due to the use of contact lenses. They assist in reducing eye inflammation, and refresh the eyes thus making them feel comfortable. These drops are also of various kinds such as preservative-free, multi-purpose and rewetting drops.

It is important to understand that not all eye drops are suitable for all types of contact lenses, such as soft or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses. Some of the eye drops are meant for the soft lenses while the others can be used for both soft and RGP lenses. It is also advisable to find out if the eye drops that you want to use are safe for the type of contact lens solution you are using.

Top 3 Best Eye Drops for Contacts

  1. Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops
  2. Refresh Contacts, Eye Drops, Contact Lens Comfort
  3. Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops

We have invested a lot of time and effort in the process of selecting the most effective eye drops for contact lenses to help alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes for contact lens users. These are the best eye drops to relieve these symptoms and make your eyes feel normal and healthy again. In this article, we will discuss the best eye drops for contact lenses that one can get in the market. Whether you need instant relief or a permanent cure, you are in the right place.

Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops

The Editor's Choice

Looking for fast relief from contact lens dryness? Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops deliver instant comfort on-the-go. Although they may sting for some and lack all-day moisture, they're a solid addition to your lens care routine.

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For those who wear your contacts for extended hours, we highly suggest using Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops. These rewetting drops remove the irritants and helps to avoid buildup of deposits on the lenses which makes them a welcome addition to anyone’s lens care.

Pros

  • Provides instant relief for dry eyes caused by contact lens wear
  • Easy to use with a convenient and portable bottle
  • Safe and effective for use with all silicone hydrogel and other soft contact lenses

Cons

  • Can sting for some users
  • May not provide long-lasting moisture for all-day comfort
  • A bit pricey compared to other rewetting drops on the market

Opti-Free Puremoist Rewetting Drops can be considered one of the best options for instant relief for dry eyes associated with the use of contact lenses. They help to provide quick relief and are also quite portable and easy to use since they come in a convenient bottle. However, they can cause stinging sensation to some users and the moisture may not last all day to some people. All in all, we believe these rewetting drops are useful to be incorporated in the care of your contact lenses.

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Refresh Contacts are great for those who use contact lenses and have mild signs of dryness.

Pros

  • The original strength formula provides instant moisture and lubrication to relieve dryness.
  • It can be used while wearing your contacts, making it convenient for on-the-go use.
  • It can also be used to lubricate and rewet both soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

Cons

  • It may not be as effective for severe dryness symptoms.
  • It is not recommended for use with certain types of rigid gas permeable lenses.
  • It may cause temporary blurring of vision immediately after application.

Refresh Contacts is among the products we have been personally using and has proven to be helpful in eradicating mild symptoms of dryness. It is not abrasive and does not have an uncomfortable feeling when applied on the skin or hair.

It is also convenient to use because you do not have to remove your contact lenses before applying it. We understand that it can be used with soft as well as rigid gas permeable lenses; however, you should always check with your eye care practitioner to find out whether it is suitable to be used with your particular type of lens.

In total, we think that Refresh Contacts is quite suitable for those people who suffer from relatively mild dryness signs while using contact lenses.

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All in all, Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops are definitively the most suitable for those who are struggling with dry and irritated eyes.

Pros

  • The eye drops are enhanced with naturally inspired ingredients that provide instant moisture for dry eyes.
  • Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops are contact lens friendly and can be applied while wearing soft contact lenses.
  • The eye drops are preservative-free and pH balanced, making them safe and gentle for daily use.

Cons

  • The bottle is small, so you may need to purchase multiple bottles for long-term use.
  • The eye drops may cause temporary blurred vision immediately after application.
  • The price point is slightly higher compared to other eye drop brands.

We have used Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops and our interaction is entirely positive. In as short as 10 seconds after application to the eyes, my eyes felt so refreshed and not dry anymore. The eye drops are mild and have no burning sensation or other uncomfortable feelings when put into the eyes. We also like the fact that the eye drops are safe for contact lens wearers which makes them very fit for use on a daily basis.

It is also significant to understand that the size of the bottle is small and thus if you need it for a long time, you may need to buy many bottles. Further, in some cases, the eye drops may cause some distortion of vision for a short period after using the eye drops, and therefore, it is recommended to avoid driving or operating any machinery for several minutes after application. The product is slightly more expensive than other brands of eye drops; however, the quality and efficacy of this Eye Drop speak volume of the value added for the price paid.

In conclusion, it can be stated that Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops are a trustworthy and efficient product that helps to relieve the symptoms of dry and irritated eyes. We highly encourage giving them a try.

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For those having dry eye sensation due to hard, soft and RGP contact lenses, it is advisable to buy Systane Contacts Soothing Drops.

Pros

  • Moisturizes and soothes dry eyes caused by wearing contacts
  • Long-lasting relief
  • Easy to apply

Cons

  • May cause a slight burning sensation for some users
  • Some users may not see significant improvement in dryness
  • Slightly more expensive than other eye drops on the market

We have found that using Systane Contacts Soothing Drops have reduced dryness and discomfort associated with contact lenses to a very great extent. The drops are effective for a prolonged period and can be easily administrated.

A potential disadvantage is that a small number of the users report a slight burning feeling when applying this product. Further, though the drops are helpful for the majority of patients, the level of dryness alleviation may not dramatically enhance for some users.

In conclusion, it can be stated that the advantages of Systane Contacts Soothing Drops are much greater than its disadvantages. For those individuals who need an effective remedy for dry eyes resulting from contact lenses wear, we suggest trying this product.

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If you are a contact lens user and you are suffering from dryness as well as irritation then Refresh Relieva for Contacts is what you are looking for. This unique composition is intended to help eliminate minor to moderate signs of dryness, irritation, and discomfort that come with contact lenses.

Pros

  • Specially designed for contact lens wearers
  • Relieves mild to moderate symptoms of eye dryness, irritation, and discomfort associated with contact lens wear
  • Hydrocell technology enables hydration and maintains the volume of cells on the eye's surface

Cons

  • May not provide relief for severe dry eye symptoms
  • May not be suitable for all types of contact lenses
  • May cause temporary blurred vision immediately after application

In our research, Refresh Relieva for Contacts has been effective in managing minor to moderate contact lens-related discomfort, dryness, and irritation. Hydrocell technology in the formula fosters the volume of cells on the surface of the eye, which may be useful in avoiding additional soreness.

Another advantage of Refresh Relieva for Contacts is that you do not have to take off your contacts when using it. It may also be used to rinse, rewet and moisten the soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP contact lenses and cushion lenses before application. Nevertheless, it is advisable to seek your eye care practitioner to determine the lens that you use, especially since silicone acrylate and fluorosilicone acrylate rigid gas permeable lenses are suitable for use with Refresh Relieva for Contacts.

In conclusion, Refresh Relieva for Contacts can be helpful for contact lens users experiencing mild to moderate contact lens discomfort, dryness, and irritation. But for extreme cases of dry eye, you might need to seek professional advice from your eye care specialist for the next line of action.

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For those individuals who are on the lookout for a good brand of eye drop solution for their contact lenses, it is advised to use Sensitive Eyes Contact Lens Solution by Bausch + Lomb.

Pros

  • Effectively lubricates and rewets soft lenses
  • Helps remove particulate matter
  • Helps prevent film deposit build-up

Cons

  • May cause slight stinging sensation upon application
  • Not suitable for hard contact lenses
  • May need to reapply multiple times throughout the day for maximum comfort

This product has been recommended by our optometrist and it is easy to understand why; we ourselves have used it on our soft contact lenses and it helps to lubricate and rewet the lenses which can get rather dry and uncomfortable. The formula also aids in cleaning off any particulate matter that may have settled on the lenses. It also has a cleaning agent which minimizes the formation of film deposit which is not only irritating but also uncomfortable.

However, we observed a mild tingling effect during the application, but it lasted for a short period of time only. It is also important to know that this solution is not for use with hard contact lenses, so always read the label. Last but not the least we realized that for providing the maximum relief we had to use the drops multiple times a day.

In conclusion, we are convinced that Sensitive Eyes Contact Lens Solution by Bausch + Lomb is a dependable and efficient product that can help improve wearing comfort and the longevity of your soft contact lenses.

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If you are in search of an efficient and dependable solution for cleaning your contact lenses then Maxim Eye Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops 3 Pack is one of the best choice that you can seek.

Pros

  • Provides an effective cleaning solution for both soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses.
  • Comes in a convenient bottle for quick and easy application.
  • Moisturizes and soothes the eyes, providing relief from dryness and discomfort.

Cons

  • Bottle size may be small for some users.
  • Some users may experience a slight stinging sensation upon application.
  • May not be suitable for all types of contact lenses.

We recently employed the Maxim Eye Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops 3 Pack, and it really worked perfectly. The drops are specifically eye friendly and come useful in that they can be used at any time of the day to clean and refresh the lenses.

Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops consists of blend of natural ingredients that has been developed to reduce eye irritation and dryness when using the lenses. The drops are essential for washing away the protein deposits and other debris that tends to build up on your lenses thus preventing your vision from blurring.

The Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops package also contains a tea tree oil eyelid wipe in addition to the actual lens drops. This wipe is an exfoliating eyelid scrub that effectively works for dry, itchy, swollen, and irritated eyes. It is an all natural preservative-free product specifically designed for use on the eyes to clean eyelids and remove makeup with unbeatable efficacy.

All in all, we strongly suggest that the Maxim Eye Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops 3 Pack is perfect for anyone who wants a high quality, efficient and reliable method of cleaning as well as freshening up the lenses.

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If you want an eye drop that can work immediately and provide relief from dry eye problems then the Avenova Eye Drops is one we highly recommend.

Pros

  • Provides immediate relief of dry eye symptoms
  • Fast-acting formula soothes burning and itching eyes
  • Easy to apply with a simple dropper

Cons

  • Some users find the bottle difficult to open
  • May require frequent reapplication for severe dry eye
  • Slightly more expensive than other eye drops on the market

All of the interactions we have had with the Avenova Eye Drops have been very favorable. The drops help relieve the symptoms of dry eye, and the formulation helps in instantly providing relief for burning and itching eyes. It can be easily operated with a fine dropper to apply the drops in a proper manner.

A drawback that some users have reported is that the bottle is rather stiff to open and can be rather annoying. Also, the drops may have to be administered repeatedly for severe dry eye conditions due to the fast disappearance of the liquid. Nonetheless, it appears that Avenova Eye Drops offer a lot more advantages than disadvantages in treating various eye conditions.

In conclusion, if you are concerned with discomfort caused by dry eye, Avenova Eye Drops should be your go to product.

Buying Guide

These are some of the factors that should be taken into account when it comes to the best eye drops for contacts.

Ingredients

First, you will need to ensure that the eye drops you are using are suitable for use while wearing contact lenses. Look for products that are specifically labeled as "contact lens compatible." Additionally, you may want to consider eye drops that contain ingredients like:

  • Hyaluronic acid: This natural element aids in the production of eye lubrication to counteract the dryness of the eyes.
  • Sodium hyaluronate: This ingredient is similar to hyaluronic acid and should also help with dryness and irritation.
  • Electrolytes: These minerals aid in the proper regulation of fluids within the eyes.

Type of Eye Drops

There are several different types of eye drops to choose from, each with its own benefits:

  • Lubricating drops: These drops aim at helping in relieving dryness and irritation.
  • Redness-relieving drops: These drops may help relieve eye redness and irritation, which are common signs of inflammation.
  • Allergy drops: If you are an allergy-sufferer, these drops can help you to get relieved from such conditions as itching and watering.

Packaging

Last but not the least; it is important to contemplate the container of the eye drops. The single-use vials are preferable if you plan on traveling because they come with no accessories and are very portable. But if you are using it more often, then it is more convenient to have a larger bottle with dropper cap on it.

In conclusion, the best eye drops for contacts are those that are safe for lenses, have positive ingredients and provided in suitable packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some recommended rewetting drops for contact lenses?

Some of the rewetting drops we suggest you use are Blink Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops, Refresh Contacts Contact Lens Comfort Drops, and Opti-Free Replenish Rewetting Drops. They assist in replenishing your eyes so as to reduce dryness and soreness of the ocular surface.

What are the best preservative-free eye drops for contact lenses?

It is advisable to use preservative free eye drops for people with chemical sensitivity. We suggest Systane Ultra Preservative-Free Eye Drops, Refresh Optive Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drops, and TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops. These drops afford relief for a longer period due to dryness and irritation.

Which eye drops are best for relieving redness caused by contact lenses?

For redness due to contact lenses, it is advised that you use Clear Eyes Maximum Redness Relief Eye Drops, Visine Maximum Redness Relief Eye Drops, or Rohto Cool Redness Relief Eye Drops. These drops assist in the reduction of redness and provide relief for your eyes.

What are the best allergy eye drops for contact lens wearers?

Those who are allergic should use Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops, Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops or Pataday Once Daily Relief Eye Drops. These drops are effective in managing itching, redness, and other allergy symptoms.

Can regular eye drops be used with contact lenses?

It varies depending on the kind of eye drops. It is important not to use some eye drops while wearing contact lenses because they may harm the lenses or even cause redness and discomfort to your eyes. However, it is important to note that there are numerous eye drop brands that can be safely used alongside with contact lenses. It is advisable always to read the label or even seek the opinion of your eye doctor as to which eye drops can be used when wearing your lenses.

What eye drops do optometrists recommend for contact lens wearers?

Different eye drops may be prescribed by optometrists based on its specific function and usage. However, some of the products that are often recommended are Blink Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops, Systane Ultra Preservative-Free Eye Drops, and Clear Eyes Maximum Redness Relief Eye Drops. Always remember to discuss your options with your eye doctor.

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Jeff brings to Buoy over 20 years of clinical experience as a physician assistant in urgent care and internal medicine. He also has extensive experience in healthcare administration, most recently as developer and director of an urgent care center. While completing his doctorate in Health Sciences at A.T. Still University, Jeff studied population health, healthcare systems, and evidence-based medi...
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