Eye drops for dry eyes?

[ny biker]

So, thanks to the advice I received in this forum about non-prescription eye drops for allergies, I've been using Zatidor this spring to keep the itching down to a minimum. If this year is like the past few years, as spring turns to summer I won't need the allergy drops anymore, but I will have problems with dry eyes before early morning rides.

I always wait until after I shower to put my contact lenses in, and most days my eyes are fine with this. But on days when I get up super early (which is usually for a bike ride) my eyes are still so dry when I put the lenses in that they burn for a while.

The eye drop section of the drug store is a bit overwhelming. Does anyone have a recommendation for drops that lubricate your eyes and are okay for contact lenses, assuming you wait at least 15 minutes or so to put the lenses in?

Thanks!!

[OakLeaf]

Is it possible you're sensitive to your disinfecting solution? I switched to ClearCare a year or so ago and my eyes are a lot happier.

I got a raging case of allergic conjunctivitis a few weeks back though and now I'm afraid to quit using the Patanol...

[ny biker]

My lenses are disposable. The only solution I use is saline.

[indysteel]

My optometrist recommends TheraTears Liquid Gel. I'be using it at bedtime and in the morning with my contacts out. It does sort of sting a bit when you first use them, and your vision will likely blur for a few minutes, too. But it has helped me with dry eyes.

[lo123]

My lenses are disposable. The only solution I use is saline.

you can use clear care on disposable lenses. I use it with my air optix aqua lenses. It seems to get them cleaner so that they actually are wearable for the full month they're rated for.

Dry eyes - try systane. My rheumatologist recommended it to me for OTC dry eye treatment.

[ny biker]

Actually my lenses are daily replacement. New ones every day.

Thanks!!

[nscrbug]

What about trying something like "re-wetting drops"? I use a re-wetting solution on my daily disposables all the time...especially at work where my office has extremely dry air. Right now, I'm using the Target house brand (Up & Up) but I've used just about every other brand of rewetting drops on the market and they all seem pretty similar.

[OakLeaf]

Then there's just dousing your eyes with plain saline, if you can tolerate the preservatives.

They used to have single-use vials of unpreserved saline. I hate the waste, but for occasional use, they were great - but I haven't been able to find them recently.

[ny biker]

I've tried putting a few drops of saline in my eyes, but that only helps a little. That's why I'm thinking something made for dry eyes might be better.

[Becky]

Bausch and Lomb SootheXP emollient drops. They're thick, and make things a little blurry initially, but my vision clears up within a few minutes. Once I can see clearly again, I can put in my contacts. I use the drops when my eyes feel dry and tight, but not itchy, and they work great.

[tulip]

I hope you find a good solution, NY. All this makes me really happy that I wear glasses!

[Blueberry]

Blink is what my eye dr. recommended to me - and I love them. They do seem to last a bit longer than regular drops.

[Cataboo]

My brother has dry eye - his opthamologists recommend refresh plus during the day, and then refresh celluvisc at night. THe latter is quicker and will blur your vision for a bit. He's been using those constantly for a few years now.

He doesn't wear contacts, so you'd have to check if there was something in either that would interfere.

[NbyNW]

I don't remember the exact name of what I was using but a few years ago when I had a similar problem my optometrist had me using a night-time drop that was more of an ointment. It would dry out by morning and didn't interfere with my contact lenses. (I replace mine monthly but I do not wear them to bed). Bottom line, check with your eye Dr. to see if he/she can suggest something appropriate for you.

+1 on Blink for during the day.

[indysteel]

Blink is what my eye dr. recommended to me - and I love them. They do seem to last a bit longer than regular drops.

Thanks for the suggestion. I see that Blink is suitable for rigid gas permeable contacts, which is what I wear. I might have to try it.