Tips for Wearing Contact Lenses With Allergies
If you have allergies this season, you are not alone. No matter what sets off your allergies, you may have noticed an impact on your eyesight. If you wear contact lenses, the impact can be even more severe. Our team at Wally Kojima, O.D. and Associates in Kailua-Kona understands the discomfort of allergies while wearing contact lenses. You may be left with itchy, watery, and swollen eyes that make you wonder if you should just switch back to glasses. Dr. Kojima and Dr. Kitamori have gathered a few tips that should help when allergies are taking a toll on your eyes.
Don't Touch Your Eyes
Even if your eyes are red, swollen, and itchy, refrain from touching them. Don't rub your eyes since this will only make the problem worse. When you touch your eye or remove your lenses, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly to avoid getting allergens in your lenses.
Keep Your Eyes Moist
While some people get watery eyes when they are exposed to allergens, others get dry eyes. Artificial tears designed for those who wear contact lenses can help. Moisten your eyes every few hours to prevent allergens from sticking to the lenses.
Clean Your Lenses More Often
If you have no choice but to wear your lenses outside in areas high in allergens, take your lenses out and clean them when you go back inside. This prevents exposure to allergens when you are indoors.
Wear Daily Contact Lenses
If you have lenses you wear all month or week, consider using daily disposables instead. You can toss them out at the end of the day instead of rinsing them. This means you are not exposed to the allergens from weeks past.
Check Allergen Reports
You should be able to find local reports related to the allergens in the air for the day. On days that report high pollen counts, for example, consider wearing your glasses. Now is a great time to visit an optometry center to get glasses that protect your eyes.
Contact Our Eye Doctors in Kailua-Kona, HI
Do you feel like you have tried everything, but you are still exposed to allergens that cause discomfort? Our eye doctors can provide additional recommendations just for you. Call our team at Wally Kojima, O.D. and Associates today at (808) 331-8081 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.