#106: Comfortably Wear Contact Lenses during Allergy Season
I'm going to talk today about a question that my patients ask me all of the time: "How can I wear my contact lenses during allergy season?" "They're itchy, they're red, they run water all over the place, I don't know what to do, I can't get my contacts in!" I've got three tips for you today on how to wear your contact lenses during allergy season.
Tip #1) Take a Break
Tip number one: Take a break! You don't have to wear your contact lenses every day! I know you don't want to hear this, but maybe just during this season, save them for special occasions. Wear them occasionally. Wear them less time during the day, take them out when you get home, or only wear them when you're going out. Take a little break.
Tip #2) Wear a Daily-disposable Contact Lens
Number two, wear a daily-disposable contact lens. So here's the "Precision 1", these are a daily-disposable contact lens that feel great for patients who have dry eyes. And, the beauty of a daily-disposable is that if you're wearing it outdoors and pollen gets on the lens, you don't have to worry about getting all of the pollen off when you wear the lens next day. You're just throwing it away. So every day that you wear these contact lenses, you're starting with a fresh, brand-new lens. That keeps things clean, and less pollen in your eyes. Less irritation.
Tip #3) Use a Hydrogen Peroxide based Cleaning System
Alright, number three! What if you can't wear a daily disposable? There are some prescriptions that still do not come in a daily-wear lens. They're getting fewer. There are more daily-disposable lens options available, but still, some prescriptions don't come in a daily wear lens.
Then, I'm going to suggest that you clean your lenses very well, using my favorite cleaner, Clear Care. Clear Care is preservative-free. It's a hydrogen peroxide-based solution, and it gets your contact lenses squeaky clean.
I have a video on how to use Clear Care because if you don't use it properly, you'll get yourself into trouble. Basically, this solution, because of the hydrogen peroxide, bubbles and pulls all the pollen, the dirt, the dust, and the debris, off of the contact lenses, so that you can be sure that they are squeaky clean.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it, three easy ways to wear your contact lenses during allergy season. It is possible! You may also want to instill some preservative-free artificial tears, while you have your contact lenses in, just to kind of refresh and eliminate some of that pollen that's attaching to the lens itself. Check out this guide to find the best artificial tears to fit your lifestyle.
