Contact lens wearers who use oral contraceptives
or birth control pills run the risk of dry eye problems. What does having dry
eyes have to do with wearing contact lenses and birth control pills? As it
turns out there is indeed a relationship between dry eye symptoms in woman
using oral contraceptives who wear contact lenses. A study published in the
journal Cornea examined the
relationship among oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, contact lens wear and dry
eye signs and symptoms in healthy young women. 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. However, the study
found 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 questions about contact lens wear, dry eye
problems and oral contraceptive or birth control pill use, please
feel free to call Eyecare Medical
Group, 53 Sewall Street, Portland, Maine 04102 at 888-374-2020, visit Eyecare Medical Group or facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup
to schedule an appointment.