In order to establish the efficacy of soft lens lubricants and their mode of action, we conducted a controlled, double-masked, randomized study. Symptoms of dryness as well as lens water content were assessed in 30 symptomatic hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) contact lens wearers who each applied either saline or one of two soft lens lubricants every 2 hours over a 6-hour wearing period. Short- and long-term symptomatic relief from ocular dryness was provided by both lens lubricants (ANOVA, P less than .05). However, neither lubricant was found to be significantly superior to saline. Contact lens dehydration was not significantly reduced by the instillation of any solution. A psychological rather than a physical (lens hydration) or physiological basis to the symptomatic relief provided by soft lens lubricants cannot be discounted.