Allergy Eyes: Recommendations for Every Season

While most people were saying a big friendly welcome to spring (especially after this crazy winter), I have not been as happy to see the seasons change. The reason: allergies.

Spring for me means waking up with gooey eyes, sneezing fourteen times in a row, and feeling like I want to invent a contraption to scratch the itchiness in my throat without gagging myself.

I know I’m not alone. More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from seasonal allergies. If you wear contact lenses like I do, then spring can be an especially tricky time. With the onset of beautiful weather comes a desire to get outdoors. Yet, all that outside time can lead to more symptoms.

So what is the best way for a contact lens wearer to handle allergy season? Here are a few recommendations:

Cleanliness Is Not an Option

If you want your contacts to be wearable during this allergy season, you need to keep it clean. Keep them cleaned–including your overnight disinfecting routine.

Keep your hair and body clean, too. Allergens stick to your hair and face and then you rub them on your pillow all night long getting them into your eyes!

Also, keep your hands clean. When you feel the itch and start to rub, you don’t want to spread the pollen and other irritants right into your eyeballs.

Sunglasses Are Your Friend

Did you know that nothing will protect your contact lenses from acting like little allergen magnet like a good, quality pair of sunglasses.

Choose stylish frames with larger lenses so that they protect your entire eye and the space around it. The larger the temples are, the more protection you will also have on the sides of your lenses to keep allergens from sneaking in there.

When in Doubt, Leave Them Out

So what do you do if you wake up and your eyes are gooey? The best rule of thumb is, “When in doubt, leave them out.”

I’ve noticed that on bad allergy mornings, sometimes just not putting my lenses in at wake-up and waiting an hour is enough time to clear out the gunk so I can safely insert my lenses.

Other days, I have to rely on my fashion pair of back-up glasses. I know that if my eyes are already red and itchy, putting my contacts in, on top of that, is jeopardizing my eye health.

Have specific questions about allergy eyes this season? Ask your closest America’s Best optometrist for his recommendations for your eye comfort and health!