Dry Eye syndrome and contacts?

I went for contacts today and the optition said you have dry eyes and that i cannot wear contacts due to this, after finding out i have been on holiday with a low intake of general vitamins and water, he told me to go back in a weeks time and make sure i stay hydrated and eat carrots!
now i want to know if i will be able to get contacts and if there is a way to speed up my tears * what the optition said :S*?
id appreciate answers as i realy want contacts for leisure and need them for sports. x

First, eating carrots will have positively absolutely definitely NO effect on the quality or quantity of your tears. So if you want to eat more carrots that's ok but don't expect this to change your tear quality. Second, I really doubt you were so dehydrated that this affected your tear quality.

Dry eye is a CHRONIC long term dysfunction in the quality and production of tears. It can be associated with a quantity (how much fluid your tear glands produce) problem or a quality (do you have adequate oils and mucous) in your tears or both.

I am aware of several therapeutic options but what you discussed is not among them. 1) Try using one of the new contacts designed to deal with dry eye (one of my favorite is Acuvue Oasys) 2) Use supplemental tears occasionally while wearing the contacts 3) Have a physician prescribe a drop called Restasis (it's purpose is to attempt to stimulate your eye to produce better tears) 4) Have a physician instill punctal plugs in your tear ducts (these plugs will decrease the amount of tears you lose due to drainage and thereby retain more of your own natural tears 5) Have your physician prescribe a combination of topical steroids such as Lotemax four times along with low dosage oral Doxycycline antibiotics on a long term basis (studies have shown some respond to this therapy) 6) I have heard that some see improvement by taking flax seed oil orally but I have no experience with natural remedies (go to a health food store)

Before I tried any of the treatments, though, I would simply try the Acuvue Oasys. You may do just fine. Hope this helped.

You may use one of the Many ARTIFICIAL TEARS... products available...!

They will help you Dry Eye Syndrome! Also there is a prescription product.. for dry eyes also!

Thanks, RR

Firstly carrots which are high in vitamin A are needed for the function of the retina, and have nothing to do with tear production.

Unfortunately if it is confirmed at your next check that you still have a problem with dry eyes, you will not be able to use contacts. There are no drugs, or anything else for that matter, that increase tear production. people who have this condition, and begin to get symptoms, usually grittiness and soreness, simply have to use artificial tears, this would not help you to wear contact lenses however.

An at home remedy that you can try that may help reduce DES symptoms is warm compresses and a lid cleanser. At least twice a day, use a warm washcloth on your eyes for at least 5 minutes. Follow this by using a lid cleanser (Ocusoft), an oil free eye makeup remover (even if you're a guy) or baby shampoo on your lids. Generally, people with DES have a lid condition secondary to that diagnosis which can also interfere with contact lens use.

I also have really dry eyes. I find wearing my glasses the majority of the time is the best bet, and I wear my contacts only for special occasions.