A study published in Optometry and Vision Scienceconfirms that simply switching to an alternative product or solution can relieve the discomfort experienced by some contact lens wearers.
The study evaluated the degree of improvement that eyecare professionals can expect when they suggest a patient switch to a different contact lens or lens care product, which is common practice, though the effectiveness of switching has rarely been measured.
The researchers observed two groups of wearers, 24 of whom felt discomfort when wearing contact lenses and 13 of whom had no symptoms. The patients were asked to use different combinations of contact lenses and solutions, in a blind study, for eight days. Patients who had symptoms reported a significant improvement after switching lenses and products, particularly when it came to dry eyes and discomfort. The discomfort reportedly returned at the end of the day, however, despite the initial improvement.
Asymptomatic patients, on the other hand, did not notice any difference between the two combinations.
