Allergies Archives

What Is Contact Lens Allergy? Your Complete Guide

Written By Michael Healy

Since being introduced in 1994, daily disposable contact lenses have revolutionized vision correction by offering convenience and flexibility to over 45% of the 40 million contact users in the United States. However, for some, discomfort and eye irritation have raised concerns about the potential of having a contact lens allergy.

Allergic reactions to contact lenses can show up in various ways, impacting comfort, vision, and overall eye health. If you wear daily disposable contact lenses and have noticed ongoing eye discomfort or irritation characterized by dry eye, itching, or increased watering of the eyes, you might wonder if you are allergic to your contact lenses.

This post takes a detailed look at what contact lens allergies are, explores their symptoms, potential causes, and diagnosis, and shares strategies to help manage discomfort stemming from a contact lens allergy.

Common Medications that May Affect Your Vision

Written By Courtney Dryer

Does your vision seem to fluctuate? Does it seem clearer some days?

Have you ever considered your medications may be impacting your visual clarity? Medications play an important role in the management of health conditions by providing both relief and improvement in well-being. However, some medications can have a substantial impact on your vision, both temporarily and permanently.

Whether the medication is prescribed to address a chronic condition or over the counter for temporary relief, certain drugs may induce visual side effects that affect the clarity, focus, or overall health of the eyes. Understanding the potential impact of your medications on your vision is vital for both healthcare providers and patients alike so they can make informed decisions.

Here are a few common categories of medications that can affect vision and their ocular effects.

Eye Infections: The Difference Between Eye Colds and Pink Eye

Written By Michael Healy

Eye infections are common ailments that many of us experience at some point in our lives. In fact, eye infections are so common that each year, an estimated 1 million Americans make visits to their doctor specifically for eye-related infections.

While commonly referred to as eye infections, two terms related to the condition that are often used interchangeably are “eye colds” and “pink eye.” While both conditions affect the eyes, they are very different in their causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Contact Lens Intolerance: What Can You Do?

Written By Courtney Dryer

If you’ve relied on contact lenses for an extended time, it’s possible to develop some form of contact lens intolerance.

As a teenager or college student, you may have contact lenses in for hours and hours and have no problems or discomfort. However, as you age, you may find it difficult to make it through an entire workday. What gives? Let’s take a look at the issue now known as contact lens intolerance.

Allergies and Contacts: Our Top Tips for Managing Allergy Season

Written By Michael Healy

Most people consider spring to be when allergy season strikes. Tree pollen hits hardest come early spring, but is then followed by grass pollen in the late spring, weed pollen in the summer, and ragweed pollen in the late summer and deep into fall. And, according to Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network, it’s always allergy season because, in addition to lengthy pollen seasons, year-round offenders include dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Allergies are especially hard on contact lens wearers. Allergies and contacts can be a tricky mix.

It’s bad enough that you wake up and your eyes feel gritty, swollen, and itchy. Then you have to put in your contact lenses. Ouch.

According to the American Optometric Association, there are approximately 45 million contact lenses wearers in the United States. Many cease wearing contact lenses due to seasonal allergies. Some stop only temporarily, while others throw in the towel and give up on wearing contacts.

But you don’t have to. Understanding the symptoms and treatment options available can bring relief and help you weather allergies and contacts issues.