With more than 30 million people wearing contacts in the United States today, there are bound to be some contact wearers who also suffer from seasonal allergies. Although contacts can help improve your vision, these visual aids can become a bother for those with serious allergy symptoms.
If you want to continue wearing your contact lenses when allergy symptoms arise, here are three precautions that can make your contacts more comfortable in the future.
1. Keep your contacts hydrated.
Many people with pollen, mold, or dust allergies report dry eyes as a bothersome symptom. Since allergens can build up on the surface of your contacts, it is important to keep your contacts hydrated if you suffer from allergies.
By using an over-the-counter lubricating eye drop frequently when you feel your eyes become itchy, you can keep your contacts free from any allergen buildup that might occur. Keeping your contacts moist will allow you to more comfortably wear these visual aids when you suffer from allergies in the future.
2. Consider switching to daily disposable contact lenses.
Sometimes the best way to prevent allergy irritation as a contact lens wearer is to make the switch to a daily disposable lens. These lenses are designed to be worn for a single day only, and then thrown away and replaced with a new set of lenses.
Since improper cleaning is often the cause of allergy irritation among contact lens wearers, eliminating the need for constant cleaning can be beneficial. Daily disposable lenses don't allow allergens the time to build up on the surface of your contacts, which allows you to enjoy your contact without the threat of allergy irritations.
3. Avoid rubbing your eyes when they become itchy.
For many people, allergies are often associated with itchy, dry eyes. Contact lenses can make these symptoms worse by preventing air from circulating through the eye on a regular basis. When eyes become itchy and dry you might find yourself tempted to scratch them.
Unfortunately, scratching can lead to nerve damage or distorted vision. Although you might be tempted to find relief for dry eyes through scratching, avoid rubbing your eyes when allergy symptoms strike and you are wearing your contact lenses. That way, you can ensure that the health of your eyes remains intact.
Wearing contact lenses can be a convenient way to correct poor vision. To ensure that you are able to fully enjoy your contact lenses during allergy season in the future, be sure that you keep your contacts hydrated, request daily disposable lenses, and avoid rubbing your eyes in the future.
