Contact lenses + allergies = ?

Question

I have mild allergies to pollen, dust and fur. I sneeze and my eyes get itchy/dry sometimes. I want to switch to contact lenses. Is that a good idea or am I in for trouble? Thanks!

Answer 1

daily disposables are best because you're putting fresh clean lenses in your eyes every day and they're generally safer than other types anyway.  

Even if you clean other types (2 weekly, monthlies, etc) a natural build-up is not completely removed and can cause problems. On top of that about 1 in 10 people who are in re-usable lenses, have reactions to their cleaning solution.  

But dailies only reduce the chance/occurence of allergic reactions, they don't prevent them.  There are loads of other things that you can do: like wear wrap-around shades for additional protection and avoid being outside when pollen count is likely to be highest but obviously these steps are not always practical and certainly aren't "cures".

You have plenty of choice because there are loads of contact lenses on the market from Ciba, Johnson & Johnson, Bausch & Lomb and CooperVision as well as www.daysoftlenses.com which sells direct to the public.

  

Anyway...if you're going to switch then you'll need to see your optician, so ask him...he's probably got a leaflet about it.

Answer 2

I asked an opthamolagist that same question.  He said that they contact actually protects your eyes from the allergic irritants so you could end up helping your situation.  I have similar problems and when I got contacts it did help.  good luck.

Answer 3

I would try Nutrilite Clearguard. It helps with all the symptoms you're dealing with. I don't have allergies but some of my friends do and use it and they love it. It is a supplement and I could get you some more info on it and also a way to get some. [e-mail]

Answer 4

I don't wear contacts, but I'm heavily allergic to my cats and use a prescription eye drop called Patanol. This is what the label says about contact wearers:

PATANOL® solution IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: PATANOL® solution is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. PATANOL® solution is contraindicated in persons with a known hypersensitivity to olopatadine hydrochloride or any components of this product. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 3 has not been established. Patients who wear soft contact lenses and whose eyes are not red should be instructed to wait at least ten minutes after instilling PATANOL® solution before they insert their contact lenses. Headaches have been reported at an incidence of 7%. The following adverse experiences have been reported in less than 5% of patients: asthenia, blurred vision, burning or stinging, cold syndrome, dry eye, foreign body sensation, hyperemia, hypersensitivity, keratitis, lid edema, nausea, pharyngitis, pruritus, rhinitis, sinusitis, and taste perversion. The recommended dose is one drop in each affected eye two times per day at an interval of 6 to 8 hours. Click here for more information.

PATADAY™ solution IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: PATADAY™ solution is indicated for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. PATADAY™ solution is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to any components of this product. Patients who wear soft contact lenses and whose eyes are not red should be instructed to wait at least ten minutes after instilling PATADAY™ solution before they insert their contact lenses. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 3 has not been established. The most common adverse reactions to PATADAY™ solution were cold syndrome and pharyngitis reported at an incidence of approximately 10%. Other adverse events included eye pain, blurred vision, sinusitis and headache occurring in 5% or less of the patients. The recommended dose is one drop in each affected eye once-a-day.

-- I've NEVER had any side effects from these and they make the itchiness and the redness go away super fast. Hope that helps!