|
Contacts and Allergies
Reviewed by Denis M. Humphreys, O.D., VSP's Optometry Director
Allergies Leave Many Contact Lens Wearers Seeking Relief
If you are among the 22 million Americans who have seasonal
allergies, you know what's in store come spring and fall:
red, itchy, watery eyes. And if you wear contact lenses
and have allergies, you could be in for added discomfort.
According to a recent survey by the American Optometric
Association, more than 75 percent of contact wearers report
eye discomfort caused by allergens adhering to their lenses
during the pollen season.
"Soft lenses are most likely to cause irritation for
people with allergies," says David Jones, O.D., a veteran
VSP doctor in Santa Rosa, Calif. "Essentially, they
function as large sponges that keep the allergens in the
eye, while preventing use of medications that you might
want to apply."
What's a contact-wearing, allergy sufferer to do? Here
are a few tips from Dr. Jones:
| Switch to eyeglasses whenever possible. Since allergens
such as pollen and dust often stick to the plastic surfaces
of contacts, this strategy will reduce your chances
of getting hit by an attack. |
| Moisten irritated eyes with artificial tears that
help prevent drying caused by allergens, while also
washing them out of your eyes. Warning: Don't buy over-the-counter
redness relievers to ease your allergic symptoms. Most
of these products are cosmetic only and won't reduce
your symptoms. |
| Clean your contacts more often and consider using
a preservative-free solution. Regular cleaning will
remove allergens from your lenses and reduce allergy
symptoms, and using a preservative-free solution will
help avoid allergic reactions. If you wear disposable
lenses, you might want to consider replacing them more
frequently. |
| When allergy-linked itching sets in, do not rub your
eyes. Excessive rubbing will only inflame eyes further.
Instead of rubbing, place a cool, damp compress over
your eyes to reduce swelling and itching. |
| See your eye doctor. Allergy sufferers can choose
from a wide array of medical products designed to protect
the eyes of contact-wearers from allergy attacks. The
doctor also can make sure your symptoms aren't being
caused by an underlying medical problem. |
|
