Blog Hero

What Are the Best Contacts for Dry Eyes?

Book Appointment
A woman applies a scleral contact lens to her eye.

Living with dry eyes can be uncomfortable, especially if you rely on contact lenses. For many, this discomfort can go beyond minor irritation, creating significant challenges in daily life. 

If you’ve struggled with finding a good contact lens option for your dry eyes, don’t worry—there are solutions available. At Heartland Eye Consultants, we specialize in finding customized solutions for your dry eye, including specialty lenses like scleral contacts. We want to help you feel comfortable and confident about your vision.

Why Do Dry Eyes and Contacts Often Clash?

Dry eye disease makes it difficult for your eyes to maintain adequate moisture. This condition frequently leads to redness, irritation, and a gritty sensation—symptoms that can worsen when wearing traditional contact lenses. 

Conventional soft lenses absorb moisture from your eyes, further aggravating your symptoms.

Beyond the discomfort, wearing unsuitable lenses can sometimes cause long-term damage to your eye health. That’s why it’s important to seek professional care when managing dry eye and exploring lens options.

Scleral Contact Lenses

If the idea of wearing contacts seems impossible due to your dry eye symptoms, scleral contact lenses may be an excellent solution. These lenses are designed for individuals with severe dry eye disease or other corneal conditions, such as keratoconus and/or scarred or irregular corneas.

Unlike traditional soft lenses, scleral lenses rest on the sclera (the white part of your eye) rather than the cornea. This design creates a small, fluid-filled space between the lens and your cornea. The built-in hydration reduces irritation and provides all-day comfort, making scleral lenses a top choice for people with dry eyes.

At Heartland Eye Consultants, scleral lenses are a key part of our specialty offerings. Our medically-focused optometrists fit each pair to match the shape of your eye. We’ve helped many patients transform their experiences with contacts, and we’re ready to help you, too.

A Life-Changing Experience

James, one of our patients at Heartland Eye Consultants, thought he’d never be able to wear contacts again due to his severe dry eyes. After consulting with our team, he was introduced to scleral lenses. James now enjoys clear, comfortable vision—something he once believed was out of reach.

Success stories like James’s are why we’re passionate about the care we provide. Every patient deserves not only improved vision but also the peace of mind that comes from knowing there’s hope.

A woman pulls down on her face, exposing the sclera of her eye.

The Role of Dry Eye Therapy

While scleral lenses can provide immediate relief, addressing the underlying causes of dry eyes is equally important. At Heartland Eye Consultants, we take a multi-faceted approach to dry eye management.

Our personalized dry eye therapy options include the latest technology, like OptiLight IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments and low-level light therapy . These innovative treatments target inflammation and improve tear production, helping to restore your eyes’ natural balance and comfort.

Using a combination of advanced therapies and recommended lifestyle changes, we aim to improve our patients’ overall eye health—not just temporarily but for the long term.

Why Choose Heartland Eye Consultants?

We know trusting someone with your eye health is a big decision. That’s why, at Heartland Eye Consultants, we emphasize creating a patient experience that feels reassuring and attentive from the moment you walk through our doors.

We’re a referral-based clinic, which means other optometrists send their patients to us when they need specialized care. That trust is something we take seriously. Our team is focused on providing thorough, detail-oriented care that’s tailored entirely to your needs.

When you visit Heartland Eye Consultants, you’ll never feel rushed. Our team takes the time to truly understand your concerns and goals, recommending solutions that provide relief and fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re exploring scleral lenses for the first time or undergoing dry eye therapy, we’re here to guide and support you through every step.

What Should You Do Next?

If you’re struggling with dry eyes and are curious about your options, the first step is scheduling a consultation. At Heartland Eye Consultants, we’ll assess your eye health, discuss your unique needs, and walk you through available treatments and specialty lenses.

Our goal is to not only improve your vision, but also to help you feel confident and comfortable in every aspect of your care. Whether it’s scleral lenses, dry eye therapy, or a combination of solutions, we’re here to make sure you see clearly and live comfortably.

Taking Steps Toward Clearer, More Comfortable Vision

Contact lenses that work for dry eyes are possible—they just require the right approach. With scleral lenses, advanced dry eye therapies, and a team that truly cares, Heartland Eye Consultants provides the foundation you need for lasting relief.

Don’t let dry eyes hold you back. Visit us and discover a patient experience that prioritizes your comfort and makes you feel cared for by experts. There’s a solution waiting for you, and we’re here to help you find it. Do you have questions about managing dry eyes or considering scleral lenses? Contact us today to take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.

Written by Dr. Will Ferguson

Dr. Will Ferguson is originally from Hastings, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in biological sciences in 2005. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2009. From there, he went on to earn a fellowship in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development in 2012.

He states, “there is a growing population of children suffering from learning-related visual disorders. It becomes difficult for these children to obtain information through their visual system, and it puts them at a significant disadvantage when compared to their peers. Children in these situations lose one of the most powerful tools needed to be successful in life…opportunity. Developmental vision care is rewarding to me because it offers people the ability to overcome their visual inadequacies and open the door to a future full of possibility.”

Dr. Will Ferguson is an active member of the Nebraska Optometric Association (NOA). Since graduating from the NOA’s Leadership Institute in 2014, he has served on the Board of Directors of both the NOA and the Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision. He is the proud recipient of the NOA’s Young OD of the Year award in 2019.

In his free time, Dr. Will enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 daughters, participating in outdoor activities, attending sporting events, and reading books.

More Articles By Dr. Will Ferguson

Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is an effective, non-surgical, doctor-supervised treatment that retrains the brain and eyes to work together more efficiently. Rather than compensate for vision problems, vision therapy aims to treat and correct the visual system itself.

Discover how we can help you or your child overcome vision problems such as strabismus and amblyopia, and build a greater sense of confidence. Take our vision therapy quiz today!

Learn More

Success Stories

Success Stories

+

Aeric P.

Reading/Learning Problems Success Story

+

James S.

Scleral Lens Success Story

+

Rowan U.

Headache Success Story

Our Location

We’re located just off Nicholas Street across from Westroads Mall. If you have trouble finding us, please give us a call at 402-493-6500.

Our Address

  • 9900 Nicholas St, Suite #250
  • Omaha, NE 68114

Contact Us

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: 8:15 AM 5:15 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:00 AM 5:15 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:15 AM 5:15 PM
  • Thursday: 8:15 AM 5:15 PM
  • Friday: 8:15 AM 5:15 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax