Do you suffer from eye allergies? During certain times of the year, this can cause discomfort for contact lens wearers, such as itchiness and watery eyes. Here are some tips to follow from our Calgary eye doctor to help keep your vision clear and comfortable all year round.
Eye allergies, also called allergic conjunctivitis, is when your conjunctiva (the translucent membrane that covers your eyes) becomes irritated and inflamed due to an allergen coming into contact with it. Such allergens can include pollen, smoke, or dust.
Common symptoms of eye allergies include:
- Red eyes
- Watery eyes
- Mucus formation
- Swollen eyelids
- Mild to severe itching
- Dry eyes
Are Eye Allergies Affecting Your Quality of Life?
In most cases, eye allergies are quite mild and disappear on their own. However, in some cases, they can play a role in the development of pink eye or other eye infections. If eye allergies are affecting your quality of life, then your Calgary eye doctor can perform a comprehensive eye exam and advise on the best way to manage your condition.
Our NW Calgary Eye Doctors Can Help Keep Your Vision Clear and Comfortable
Do dry eyes or allergies make it difficult for you to wear contact lenses? Our Calgary optometrists can help! During a comprehensive eye exam, we can perform various tests to diagnose and manage your condition, helping you to enjoy clear and comfortable vision, whether you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Want to know more?
7 Tips for Contact Lens Wearers With Eye Allergies
Many contact lens wearers who suffer from eye allergies tend to encounter vision discomfort during certain times of the year. This is largely due to allergens in the air that become stuck to the lenses, causing symptoms such as swollen, watery, and itchy eyes.
If eye allergies are making it difficult for you to wear contact lenses, here are seven simple tips to help alleviate your symptoms:
1. Keep your eyes moist.
Allergens can cause dry eyes, so talk to your eye doctor about keeping your irritated eyes moist with artificial tears. You may be advised to put the tears in as frequently as every two hours. This will help wash out or dilute the irritants in your eyes, resulting in more comfortable vision.
2. Clean your contact lenses often.
Cleaning your contact lenses often will keep them free of allergens. If you wear disposable contact lenses, you may want to consider replacing them more often. Also, talk to your eye doctor about using a preservative-free solution to help avoid all possible allergic reactions.
3. Wear your eyeglasses more often.
Allergens such as pollen often stick to the thin surfaces of contact lenses. When you switch to eyeglasses for at least part of your day, you may be able to lessen the severity of your symptoms and keep your eyes moist and comfortable.
4. Use a cool compress.
When your eyes are red, itchy, or swollen, it can be tempting to rub them, but you must refrain from doing so. Rubbing will only make the inflammation worse by spreading the allergens. Instead, consider using a cold, damp compress to relieve discomfort.
5. Visit your eye doctor.
If you are struggling with eye allergies, the best thing you can do is visit your eye doctor. They can recommend medical products for your specific symptoms. There are several prescription and non-prescription eye drops on the market that can help decrease allergic symptoms. You should also visit your eye doctor to rule out possible problems that may not be allergy related.
6. Switch to daily contact lenses.
Ask your eye doctor about switching to daily disposable lenses. These lenses are disposed of every day after you have finished wearing them. When you change your lens daily, you will get rid of all the debris that adheres to the lens — in particular, allergens that can cause itchy, dry, and watery eyes.
7. Watch your screen time.
Staring at screens tends to prevent blinking, which in turn will dry out your eyes and make them more susceptible to contact lens irritation and the effect of allergens. Remember to take frequent breaks to reduce the strain on your eyes.
Contact Us
Are eye allergies or dry eyes making it difficult for you to wear contact lenses? During a comprehensive eye exam, our friendly and experienced eye doctors can assess your symptoms and help determine the best way forward.
To find out more, contact our Calgary eye clinic at 403-286-4884 or fill in our online contact form.
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