Why are contact lens wearers living in dry spaces more likely to experience discomfort?

Contact lens wearers in dry environments are more prone to experiencing discomfort because the lack of humidity can lead to symptoms such as burning or gritty sensations. In dry air, the moisture on the surface of the eyes can evaporate more quickly, leading to dryness and irritation. This phenomenon is often exacerbated during activities that require prolonged focus, such as staring at screens, which can further reduce blink rates and contribute to discomfort.

The gritty sensation is a result of decreased lubrication on the eye's surface, making the lenses feel less comfortable, as they may not move smoothly against the eye. Rather than the lens material itself failing or external factors like UV exposure impacting comfort, it is primarily the environmental conditions that lead to these sensations of discomfort. Thus, understanding how a dry atmosphere affects tear film stability and the functioning of contact lenses is essential for managing comfort in wearers.

In this context, while moisture retention and durability are important aspects of lens care, they do not directly correlate with the sensation of discomfort caused by environmental dryness.