(626) 359-3937
Allergies are common
There are more than 22 million Americans who suffer from allergies. If you have allergies and wear contact lens, you will be experiencing misery. Unfortunately, allergens have a special attraction to contact lens, especially the soft kind.
According to the American Optometric Association, more than 75% of contact lens wearers will suffer from eye pain and irritation caused by allergens. According to an optometrist, soft lenses function somewhat like sponges by keeping the allergens in the eye, but also prevent medication usage. Do you need better contact lenses? Calling an optometrist (like Plaza Vision) is one of the best things you can do have an easier time during allergies.
Precautions
If you suffer from allergies, there are some precautions you may want to take into consideration before you let those pesky allergens bother your eyes.
- Take out the contacts and put on eyeglasses. While you may not want to wear eyeglasses, they may be more comfortable at this time of year and prevent eye irritation.
- Keep your eyes moist. Use artificial tears often, as they will wash the allergens out and make your eyes feel much better.
- Clean your eyes. In allergy season you need to be more proactive in keeping your eyes and contacts clean by using a preservative free cleaning solution. You should also replace disposable lenses more often than usual.
- Don’t rub your eyes. Yes, when you have an itch you want to scratch it, but that does more harm than good. Use a cool washcloth compress for a gentle eye treatment and it will help minimize swelling and itching.
- See your optometrist. If you continue having eye problems from the allergies, you need to consult with your eye doctor. An eye exam may be necessary to rule out any more serious problems that you could be experiencing.
Remember, taking care of your eyes is an important job. Don’t risk letting the problem worsen or become more severe. Instead, take all the possible precautions and seek medical attention when necessary. Two ways to take care of your eyes involves having annual eye exams and recalibrating your glasses/contacts to changes in your vision. If you need to do either fill out our short request form online.