And allergy season is in full-bloom! If you have the itchy-red-watery-eye blues, here are three quick tips to get you on the right track.
- Daily disposable contacts: Contact lenses are like magnets for allergens in the air. Allergens, such as pollen, grab onto the contact lens and are then held against the surface of the eye all day. If you wear contacts and have allergies, it is generally much more comfortable to have a new, clean lens every day instead of a dirty one. Daily disposables are very affordable these days too. And you don’t have to bother with solutions!
- Prescription allergy eye drops: Tests done in the office can determine if you would benefit from a prescription eye drop. There are some great ones, and usually they work well with only one drop in each eye once a day. Not too hard to do! Whatever you do though, please avoid over-the-counter drops that “get the red out”. They cause the blood vessels in the eye to temporarily constrict but do nothing to help fix the problem. And, due to a “rebound” effect, can cause your eye to get even redder when you stop using them.
- Don’t rub your eyes: Rubbing itchy eyes is a natural response. However, rubbing usually worsens the allergic reaction due to the physical impact on the mast cells, which causes them to release more histamine. Translation: Do not rub your eyes!
For even more tips for allergy eyes, check out one of our first blog entries. If you feel like you might benefit from a prescription allergy drop or daily disposable contacts, give us a call at 217-345-6600.
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