4 Interior Habits that Trigger Allergic Response among Contact Lens Wearers

Contact lens wearers with sensitivities are prone to pick allergies. Either it is suspended pollen during spring or heat waves produced by the blazing sun; people with sensitive eyes find it difficult to manage with their symptoms and contact lenses. With few life style improvements, you can almost get over every obstacle affecting contact lens tolerance.

1. Wrong Type of Contact Lenses

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First things first. There are many variants of contact lenses available, including over-the-counter fake colored contact lenses. Please remember, that Korea is the tycoon of contact lens manufacturing. The Korean origin lenses are FDA approved that minimize the risk of infections. Wrong type of contact lenses may fade, cause abrasions & pick environmentally suspended external agents that may trigger allergic response. Even pharmaceutical disinfecting solution & anti-allergic eye drops seem ineffective with wrong type of contact lenses. Make a wise decision when purchasing colored contacts.

2. Wrong Type of Interior Décor

Furry rugs, soft fleecy throws & velvet curtains may concoct a picture worthy of being featured in an interior-design magazine. Unfortunately, these all are the factors behind severe & abrupt allergic attack. Without you knowing, these home-décor furnishings pick dust and encourage the growth of mites. Avoid sleeping at carpets & only use machine-washable mats/rugs. If you wear contact lenses, you need to make all measurements to keep your surroundings clean.

3. Hot & Humid Showers

Mould grows exponentially in warm & humid places. If you love steamy showers, check the lines for fungus at grouting. Whilst taking shower, make sure there is enough ventilation for the steam to get out. Otherwise, handling your contact lenses – wearing & removing them at washroom sink will only be adding more to your troubles.

4. Change Upholstery Frequently

Changing upholstery frequently is recommended especially if you wear contact lenses. Your pillow cases, comforters, bed-sheets and other upholstered furnishings breed germs & bacteria. From dandruff to pet dander & makeup remains, your pillow cases keep on depositing the allergens until you wash them at high temperature in a washing machine.

As a contact lens wearer, you need to stay aware of your surroundings. Contact lenses aren’t only fashion accessory but are also medical devices. Good personal hygiene is the first thing that you should improve once you switch to contact lenses- Then comes your home & furnishings that must be paid attention in order to prevent allergies among contact lens wearers.

3 Ways to Manage Colored Contacts in Hazy Weather

Alike spring, autumn & summer patients with refractive index error need to manage their life style in order to stay comfortable during hazy weather, with the type of contact lenses they wear. During haze; smoke or dust particles are suspended most in the air due to which a feeling of discomfort is observed. Trapped foreign particles may even induce burning/stinging sensation. Haze affects field of vision & limits the visibility. Above all, it adversely affects your peepers- threatens your vision; if you wear contact lenses. Fortunately, everything is manageable; provided, you are willing to stay meticulous of contact lens handling & focused at improving your lifestyle.

1. Prevention

Let us remind our elementary lesson i.e. “Prevention is better than cure”. It is advisable to avoid staying out doors when the weather is windy or hazy. Since the surface of contact lenses is electrostatic; everything that comes into contact with them make its way inside to the cornea. Therefore, always carry a traveling contact lens kit that easily accommodates a small bottle of your contact lens disinfectant. In emergency, instead of rubbing your eyes and making things gross; immediately put off your circle contacts and disinfect them right at the spot. Monthly or daily disposable circle lenses are a better option in such changing climates.

2. Wear Contact Lenses with High Water Grade

Contact lenses with low water ratio may get dry. They increase the risk of corneal abrasions when eyes are rubbed in case of introduction of a foreign body. Though rubbing seems to calm down the slew of eye problems; it actually aggravates the condition. Contact lenses with high water grade keep eyes moist and comfortable.

3. Keep Lubricating your Eyes

When out in haze, carry lubricating drops in your bag. Rewetting drops help immediately flush out the foreign agents. Some of the advanced rewetting drops such as Blink N Clean from Abbott Pharma, disinfect contact lenses whilst they are still in your eyes. Just instill few drops, blink and Ta da!

Also Read: Contact Lens Management in Spring

Haze if composed of water vapors, do not really affect contact lens wear. However, one should be concerned if it is the other way round. Irritants can leave your cornea and contact lenses scratched. Contact lens management in haze is a bit difficult to tackle as sun glasses cannot provide protection in haze. To ensure, you stay comfortable keep a spare pair of colored contacts along with other needed accessories. Being warned is being armed, right?

Switch to Monthly Disposable Circle Lenses during summer

During sweltering summer, there are far more chances of bacteria composition on contact lenses. The blazing hot season is already linked with wreaking havoc on your skin, hair, body and above all eyes. Contact lenses if are not meticulously cared for may aggravate the risks of ocular infections. During summer; “hay fever” is already on the peak that induces ocular discharge and painful irritation. The discharge is responsible for contact lens contamination; requiring the contact lenses to be tossed off as frequently as possible. To reduce the CLIDs, it is suggested to replace your annual replacement contact lenses with monthly disposable contact lenses.

Since monthly disposable contact lenses do not get enough time for the development of bio-film, they are subjected to increase contact lens tolerance. Furthermore, monthly disposable contact lenses offer countless other benefits that have taken the contact lens industry by storm. They remain moist even if your own lipid layer & tear chemistry is disturbed. They are often high in water content to keep your eyes hydrated. However, the use of Rohto C Cube eye drops along with monthly disposable contact lenses may make it easier to tolerate contact lenses.

Barbie Cat Barbie Hazel Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses

They are easy to maintain. The cleaning & disinfection is done the same usual way, you clean your regular contact lenses. The thing that makes them different is the duration. Instead of 12 months, you pop open a new pair of contact lenses every month or every 3 months to make sure optimum hygiene.

 

If you have sensitive eyes or you are prone to infections and allergies during summer, doctors advise to wear monthly disposable contact lenses such as Geolica Holicat series. Don't forget to share your experience with us to help others learn & appreciate the goodness.

Do you Wear Contact Lenses & are Prone to Pollen Allergy? Read why should you Avoid Eating Apples

It would be surprising to learn that apples along with some other fruits and vegetables make seasonal allergies go haywire. If you are prone to seasonal allergies you must take precautionary measures when wearing soft contact lenses. This being said, avoiding apples should be strictly considered.

Oral Allergy Syndrome & Contact Lenses

During spring & fall; pollen particles are found most suspended in the air. Since soft contact lenses allow partial permeation of oxygen to let your eyes breathe, some of the air irritants also find their way through contacts. When these allergens are trapped into the contact lenses; they make the seasonal allergies get worse. Doctors opine if you suffer from allergy; you probably are also a victim of “Oral Allergy Syndrome”. This refers to problem eating some fruits & vegetables. Blame pollen like protein found on the surfaces of apples, tomatoes, cantaloupes & other raw veggies/fruits.

If you have been sniffling & sneezing this season along with an itchy throat & sore mouth, you need to reconsider your decision of consuming these edibles. With contact lenses, allergens can make a whole lot of mess. Though glasses can be a rescue, some people would love to stick to their contact lenses for how handy they are over glasses. If contact lenses are unavoidable for you try disposable contact lenses to reduce the protein buildup.

Runny nose & itching red eyes have never been a fun combination. If you are prone to get flared up by allergens floating in the air, you need to learn the culprits that make your symptoms go worse. Contact lenses won’t be bothersome if you take care of disinfecting them & their cases regularly after each wear. Replace your contact lens cases every 3 months to stop the recurrence of the ocular infections. 

Choosing Contact Lenses Correctly for Vision Problems

Contact lenses enjoy a paramount importance when it is about correcting the vision problems. Gone are the days when contact lenses would make patients feel hesitant about giving them a try. Experts opine that contact lenses are far way a better option the spectacles as they ensure excellent peripheral vision that glasses do not. Since circle lenses and all other variants are certified medical devices they need greater concern & attention whilst handling them. Though circle contact lenses also come with both pros & cons; one needs to be vigilant enough for a wiser selection.

Meeting your Optometrist

Before choosing circle lenses, it is crucial to first get an appointment from your eye doctor. Only an eye expert is capable of checking visual acuity & degree of dryness. After determining your eyes an eye doctor would suggest what kind of circle lenses would better fit you. People with vision impairment are now open to many opportunities. With the modern technology & innovation contact lens industry has made several advancements & now almost every one with any of the ocular complication can sport contact lenses.

• Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes

People who have to bear dry eye syndrome can take support of contact lenses with high water count. Contact lenses from 48% to 55% of the water content keep your eyes hydrated & moist. Using quality eye drops might help.

• Contact Lenses for Sensitive Eyes

Geolica Eyevelyn contact lenses are perfect match for sensitive eyes. The brand takes pride in coping up these lenses with UV interception. Its bio-compatible material ensures safety; whereas high oxygen content make sure that they allow smooth tear production whilst keeping your eyes moist & supple. They are perfect for people who suffer from eye sores upon wearing lenses or notice irritation, teary or painful eyes upon wearing regular contacts.

• Contact Lenses for Kids

Since Kids are new to contact lenses and are mentally less mature; it is advised to let them start their journey with tri monthly disposable circle lenses until they are wise enough to take care of yearly disposable circle lenses. Since contact lenses are subjected to bacteria accumulation, it is better that kids toss their lenses every 3 months for better hygiene and for reduced risks of infections.

Contact Lenses are making lives better. Even if contact lenses were a disappointment previously in past, you can keep giving them a try between different brands. Contact lenses offer various services from being unaffected by weather conditions to staying trouble-free during aggressive activities like sports & exercises. They are great means of accessorizing oneself whilst boosting up the confidence for those with vision problems. 

Contact Lenses with Proper Compliance are proved to be a Safer Option for Vision Correction- Consensus in Singapore Reveals

Contact lenses- A safer mode of vision correction 

Singapore Contact Lens Society; comprised of professional ophthalmologists, is cognizant of the importance of constant monitoring in contact lens wearers. The society lays great emphasis on the regular contact lens follow-up for people using contact lenses for vision correction.

Ophthalmologists opine that contact lenses when followed by proper care regimen minimize the risk of infections. The society quoted a U.S study that reveals that the rate of infection induced by contact lenses is 13.9 in every 10,000 children whereas in adults it has astonishingly been reduced to zero percent. The study also reveals that there has not even been a single registered case of "contact lens related infection"; leading to permanent damage or vision loss.

The consensus further elaborates that contact lenses are safe mode of vision correction when followed by proper compliance. A clean, sterilized and FDA approved contact lens that is properly fitted ensures minimum to no risks. With proper hygiene, infections’ risk can be greatly reduced. Additionally, the follow-up sessions keep a sharp track on rising ocular abnormalities if any.

The society summarized the safe contact lens wear as follows:

1. Eyes should look good- free from redness
2. Eyes should feel good- free from itching
3. Eyes should see good- free from blurred or hazy vision

If you are an active wearer of contact lenses, keep monitoring how your eyes perform with and without them. In case, you notice an unusual secretion, itching or painful sensation; rush to your eye care professional. Follow contact lens care regimen religiously & prevent your eyes from seasonal or occasional infections that are more likely to hit people wearing contact lenses.

Related:

 Managing seasonal allergies with contact lenses

Some Facts about Contact Lens Fitting

Contact lenses are not one-size-fit-all. Yet, there are some simple rules about contact lens fitting, as the average size of a human iris is 14mm. Contact lenses with a base curve of 8.6 mm fits most of the people whilst the water content of 38% keep circle lenses moist & your eyes hydrated.

Meeting your Eye Care Professional

1. If you are wearing contact lenses for refractive index correction, you should meet your ophthalmologist for prescription needs such as astigmatism.
2. People who wear contact lenses for personality enhancement should also meet eye care professional as there are several conditions that might affect contact lens tolerance such as the use of certain medication like birth control pills.  
3. An eye care service provider will check your eyes to see if you are a successful candidate of contact lenses. Depending on your eye types; he will recommend you contact lenses that will fit your eyes whilst ensuring the maximum comfort.

Health of Cornea

• One should take note of the corneal health. Tear film evaluation often describes how your corneas behave with contact lenses. Some people find it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses. This happens because of the quick degeneration of lipid that is actually the upper most layer of tear-film; serving as the barrier between foreign substances and your eyes.

• In case of dry eyes syndrome; use FDA approved authentic eye drops. Not everyone needs eye drops. Circle lenses with water content 38% and above are comfortable to most of the eyes. However; people with sensitive eyes may opt for circle lenses above 50% water content or disposable circle lenses.

• If your eyes go worst when allergy season hits then you need to be extra careful & vigilant about the health of your eyes. This is how to manage contact lenses with allergies. (Also read: Contact Lenses, Dry Eyes & Winter)

• If you spend bigger portion of your day at working on computer then you are more likely to suffer from computer vision syndrome. Since working at computer alters the “blinking-rate” it indirectly affects the tear film production & aggravates the symptoms with contact lenses. This is how to manage contact lenses with computer vision syndrome.

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.