Allergy Season vs. Your Contact Lenses:
How to Win the Battle
Aside from that one (very lucky) friend of yours—let’s call her “Unicorn”—seasonal allergies seem to wreak havoc on everyone.
Sniffles that won’t quit. An itchy throat… or did you recently swallow sandpaper? You can’t quite tell. And the dreaded dry eyes.
People like your bright-eyed, contact-lens-free buddy, Unicorn, don’t know how good they have it, really. Meanwhile, people like contact-lens-wearing you are stuck trying to find contact lenses that don’t make your dry eyes more dry. Sigh.
But we’re not worried about your seasonal allergy woes. Because we’re here to alleviate your eye troubles and help you find exactly what you need to feel comfortable in your contact lenses and become like a Unicorn—blissfully unbothered by seasonal allergies.
So, let’s get into it. Here’s everything you need to know about finding the right contact lenses for dry eyes and seasonal allergies.
Do you suffer from dry eyes and seasonal allergies? Here are the most common symptoms.
Before we get into solving your dry-eye, allergy-lens dilemma, let’s chat about what’s really going on with your eyes when the seasons change. Some common symptoms include:
- Itchy, red eyes: You know the look. It’s that "No, I'm not crying, but I want to" one.
- Burning sensation: Like someone laced your eye drops with cayenne pepper.
- Watery eyes: Weird, right? You have dry eyes but somehow, your eyes think they need to overcompensate.
- Sensitivity to light: It's like your eyes decided they can’t handle sunlight anymore.
If you’re experiencing similar symptoms, there’s good news. There are contact lenses made specifically for combatting dry eyes.
How to find the right contact lenses for dry eyes and allergies.
Not all contact lenses are created equal. Especially if seasonal allergies are already attacking.
The best place to start? Daily disposable lenses in place of bi-weekly or monthly contacts. While those options are great for some, for dry, allergy-prone eyes, daily disposables are your new best friend. Here’s why:
- More hygienic: Daily disposables are used once and thrown away. This means less build-up of allergens like pollen and dust, which can cling to your lenses over time and aggravate your already sensitive eyes.
- Less irritation: With a fresh pair of lenses every day, you’re reducing the risk of irritants sitting on your lenses and causing that annoying, gritty sensation.
More hydration: Some brands of daily contacts are designed to retain moisture better, keeping your eyes feeling… moist (sorry, we had to say it).
Other remedies to alleviate discomfort from seasonal allergies and dry eyes.
Okay, so you’ve upgraded your contacts, but what else can you do to keep your eyes feeling as fresh as possible?
- Use rewetting drops: Look for preservative-free eye drops to soothe dry, irritated eyes. Keep them on-hand for little spa treatments for your eyes throughout the day (minus the cucumber slices).
- Keep your lenses clean: If you’re using non-daily lenses, make sure you’re cleaning them properly. A high-quality, sensitive solution like Biotrue or Clear Care can help wash away allergens.
- Stay hydrated: No, we don’t mean you need to drink 20 cups of water a day (unless that’s your thing). But using a humidifier in your home and/or workspace can really help.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors: When pollen counts are high, a pair of high-coverage shades can act as another layer between your eyes and those pesky allergens.
Check in with your optometrist: Your optometrist knows your eyes better than anyone (except you, probably), and they can recommend the best contact lenses and care routine based on your unique situation.
Need to upgrade your contact lens game? Come see us.
Our team at Monocle is ready to help you find the perfect contact lenses for your dry, allergy-prone eyes. Whether it’s fitting you for new lenses, suggesting the best eye drops, or giving you the best tips for lens care, we’ve got you covered.
Stop suffering through allergy season and book an appointment with us. We’ll make sure you’re putting up a fight against seasonal allergies (and winning).