I began wearing contact lenses when I was a teenager and wore them successfully for years. When I was about 50, I got bifocal contacts, and they were a miracle. At age 55, I was also diagnosed with diabetes, and my eyes got so dry that I could no longer wear my contacts. Now, I am wearing bifocal spectacles. Is there any hope that I could once again wear bifocal contact lenses, or even unifocal ones with reading glasses over them (which I did between the ages of 40 and 50)?

J.B.

As one ages, there is an increased likelihood of developing dry eyes, called keratitis sicca. In addition, people with diabetes, such as yourself, are more likely to suffer from the condition.

The general symptoms of dry eyes can include eye discomfort and the sensation that a foreign object is in the eye. As you mentioned, dry-eye condition can make it very difficult to wear contact lenses. But there is hope that you may be able to wear contacts again.

The standard treatment for dry eyes is artificial tears. Preservative-free artificial tears are usually best because the preservatives in regular artificial-tear formulas can exacerbate a dry-eye condition. It is safe to put one drop of preservative-free artificial tears in each eye as often as every 15 minutes.

For severe dry eyes, a very useful therapy is punctal plugs. These tiny plastic devices are placed into the duct through which tears leave the eye and enter the nose. When the ducts are plugged, moisturizing tears will remain in their eye longer. There are two such ducts in each eye. Usually, plugs are only placed in one duct of each eye. However, in severe cases, both ducts may need to be plugged.

If you would like to try wearing contact lenses again, you should have a complete eye exam and talk to your eye doctor about addressing your dry-eye problem.