If you wear contact lenses, it may seem like they oftentimes go hand in hand with discomfort. Ophthalmologists report that as many as half of all contact lens wearer complain of dryness and irritation on a regular basis and an even higher percentage have periodic discomfort.
Of course, proper care of contact lenses such as cleaning them daily and giving your eyes a rest from time to time is critical to reducing symptoms. And we should always try to stay away from irritants like cigarette smoke. But many of the causes of eye discomfort when wearing contact lenses are unavoidable. Allergens, bright sunlight, long hours at the computer or lack of sleep can all contribute to making our eyes feel lousy and when these culprits are inescapable, we often have teo rely on eye drops like those in our Guide to Best Eye Drops for Contacts.
These products, which can also be referred to as the best rewetting drops for contacts, are a quick and fairly cost-effective solution that can keep us in our contacts longer.
What You Should Know
The most important thing contact lens wearers should know is that the solutions used to clean your lenses should never be used to rewet your eyes or your contacts. Cleaning solutions are designed to remove dirt and buildup and work as a disinfectant. Using them as a rewetting agent can harm or irritate eyes.
The buying information portion of our best eye drops for contacts guide will help you sort through the various products available from artificial tears to formal rewetting drops.
As you enjoy the freedom that comes with contacts, remember that some drying and irritation – especially at the end of the day – is normal with contact lens wear, but pain is not. If you experience eye pain at any time while wearing your contacts, it is important to get in to see your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Top 10 Eye Drops for Contacts Comparison Chart
| Picture | Name | Lens Type | Size | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Allegran Multi-Pack Refresh Tears | All | 5 x 1/2oz | $$$$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. Boston Rewetting Drop | Rigid Gas Perm | 1/3oz | $ | 4.7 |
 | 3. Alcon Clerz Plus Lens Drops | All | 6 x 1/6oz | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 4. Refresh Optive Advanced | All | 2/3oz | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 5. Similasan Dry Eye Relief | All | 1/3oz | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 6. Lobob Optimum | All | 1oz | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 7. Bausch & Lomb Sensitive Eyes | All | 1oz | $ | 4.6 |
 | 8. Thera Tears, Lubricant Eye Drops | All | 1oz | $ | 4.5 |
 | 9. Advanced Blink Contacts | All | 3 x 1/3oz | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 10. Bausch & Lomb ReNu | All | 1/2oz | $$ | 4.3 |
Buying Information for Eye Drops for Contacts
When choosing a product from our best eye drops for contacts product list, keep in mind that not all products are intended for use on all contact lens types. Certain products will work with soft, semi-soft and hard lens while others are made for one specific type. Using drops or rewetting solutions that aren’t compatible with your contacts can damage them, affecting visual quality and impacting comfort.
In general, most over the counter eye drops are divided into three categories – drops for dry eyes, drops for redness and drops for contact lens rewetting. Be sure to avoid most “dry eye” relief products unless you read that they are safe for use with contacts since many of these drops are designed to lubricate your eye, not your lens, and using them can cloud your contacts. Follow the same rule with drops for redness since these shrink the blood vessels in your eyes to diminish the red appearance and can cause even more dryness.
Also remember that artificial tears and rewetting drops are not the same.
- Artificial tears are preserved with ingredients that can bind to a lens surface and be toxic to your eye while rewetting drops contain electrolytes.
- Wetting agents that will cause no harm to your lenses. All the products listed in our guide are safe for use while wearing your contact lenses.
Top 3 Best Eye Drops for Contacts Reviews
1. Allegran
Do not be concerned that this product name includes the word “tears” following our warning above about the ingredients in artificial tears. This product is completely safe for use with contact lenses.
Allergan makes a full line of Refresh products for the eyes, but this specific drop is designed to alleviate dryness and moisten the eye without causing damage to a contact. It is gentle, long-lasting, has no preservatives and works especially well for those of us with sensitive eyes. Contact lens wearers who suffer from allergies often claim they could not get through allergy season with Refresh Tears.
The half-ounce bottle – while a little stiff – is small enough that it fits easily in a purse, pocket or backpack and it meets all requirements for airline travel. The multi-pack means you get more bottles for more places and Allergan even includes a tiny 0.17 ounce bottle that’s perfect for a ladies small evening bag.
2. Boston
Even though these rewetting drops are made specifically for rigid, gas-permeable contacts, they landed in our number 2 spot because of their effectiveness for people who prefer rigid lenses over soft lenses.
They are sterile, of course, and work as a lubricant and rewetting drop to keep your rigid contacts comfortable for longer periods of wear. The patented formula works by coating the lens surface – but NOT clouding it – and restoring a natural tear layer between it and the eye.
It is wonderfully preservative-free and has a long shelf-life so if you do not use the drops frequently, you don’t have to worry about expiration dates. Just remember – this product is NOT for use with soft contact lenses of any kind.
3. Alcon
While this lens drop is specially formulated for extended wear lenses, it is safe for all types of soft and gas permeable contacts. The drops moisten well and have a particularly soothing effect in the mornings according to lens wearers who typically sleep in their contacts. Users recommend putting a drop in each eye before going to bed as well to decrease dryness through the night.
These drops can be used 4 – 6 times daily and the formula not only rewets your contacts and soothes your eyes, but will help remove particulates and prevent protein buildup on your lenses.