How to Manage Allergies when Wearing Colored Contact Lenses?

Every year pro-allergy season i.e. Fall & Spring trigger allergies which push people wearing prescription colored contact lenses to switch to the other alternate i.e. ‘spectacles’. Wearing spectacles might be a cheap alternative but is troublesome to many especially if you are an athlete. 

This being said; patients even when air-borne irritants are expected to be suspended most in the air, prefer to stick to wearing colored contact lenses, which of course intensifies the problem. When suffering from pollen allergy, adopt a very aggressive hygiene plan & practice strict sanitation habits.

Effective Management with Irritants causing Allergy & Prescription colored Contact Lenses

Air-borne irritants are suspended in the air & they cover everything they come into contact with. Colored contact lenses especially the soft variant are gas permeable lenses which are made so to let the oxygen pass through. Eyes draw its oxygen from the atmosphere than from the body & hence contact lenses partially assist oxygen penetration. Such irritants find prescription colored contacts a channel to reaching your eyes that later on provoke the urge of itching them. Once stimulated, the itching turn gross which unfortunately may be responsible for scratching the cornea.

Taking note of following hygiene practices; you can still wear your colored contact lenses even when allergy season is at peak.

• Always handle colored contacts after washing your hands thoroughly.
• When out in an open environment, wear protective glasses such as shades etc
• Stay away from trees. Avoid walking under woods.
• Disinfect your contact lenses carefully after each wear. Do not TOP OFF the solution. Instead have your contact lens cases’ chambers filled with a new supply every day.
• Keep your nails trimmed.
• Do not share your contact lenses ever.
• When travelling keep your contact lens case enclosed in a zipper bag. This limits the accumulation of irritants to contacts.
• Do not touch your eyes. Resist the urge of rubbing them. If it gets over-whelming, remove your colored contact lenses prior to scrub your eyes.
• Wash your eyes with clear cold water when an irritant gets into your eyes. Always AVOID scratching them.
• Keep rewetting or artificial tears. When your eyes are moist, they are most secure.

In severe cases your doctor might be better able to understand the underlying cause. Upon noticing blurred/hazy vision along with dancing floaters & slight discharge & itching, you should always remove your contact lenses. Wash your eyes, instill a drop or two of rewetting drops as it helps flushing out the irritants & let your eyes rest before you put on your contact lenses back.

Seasonal allergies are no threat, provided you are diligent about your hygiene and meticulous about the disinfection of colored contact lenses. If you think none of the above is helping you, consider meeting your eye care professional as it will rule out the chances of other serious contraindications. Or, otherwise opt for daily disposable contact lenses to reduce the buildup over contacts. “Daily disposables work really well because you’ve eliminated the care product,” Dr. Secor told PCON. 

Sometimes allergy sufferers can wear daily disposables during the peak season and switch back to another type of lens during other times of the year.