by Jen Reynolds
At VisionFirst, our goal is to help you FEEL your best, so we like to provide you with helpful information regarding the health of your eyes.
It is very common that year after year, Kentuckiana falls in the top 5 most challenging places to live with allergies. This year will be no exception. The fluctuating weather we’ve been experiencing could make for a spring pollen superburst, according to some experts.
In addition to our previous blogs we’ve posted that have highlighted allergies, we would like to add the following tips to help keep your eyes comfortable this spring so that you can SEE your best:
- Wash your bed linens weekly on hot/sanitize cycle. Don’t forgot to use an allergy protection pillow cover.
- Practice proper lid hygiene by gently washing the eyelids/lashes every day with baby shampoo.
- Over the counter oral antihistamines are a good choice for nasal allergies, but can dry your eyes out. Consider using a topical over-the-counter allergy drop with the active ingredient ketotifen. This was previously prescription strength and is labeled “12-hour allergy relief.” Stay away from drops that claim to “get the red out” as these are not a good choice in any situation.
- Cool compresses may help to soothe itchy eyes but try not to rub the eyes as this causes more histamine to be released and the eyes become more irritated.
- Contact lens wearers should…Not sleep in their contacts.Change their contacts according to manufacturer guidelines. Never wear a contact lens until you “can feel it”Use a name brand solution only.Rub their contacts before soaking them in solution.Consider a hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution to deep clean the contacts and eliminate the use of preservatives.Talk to their doctor about one-time-use daily contacts
- Not sleep in their contacts.
- Change their contacts according to manufacturer guidelines. Never wear a contact lens until you “can feel it”
- Use a name brand solution only.
- Rub their contacts before soaking them in solution.
- Consider a hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution to deep clean the contacts and eliminate the use of preservatives.
- Talk to their doctor about one-time-use daily contacts
If you have tried these suggestions and are still having itchy, watery eyes, please schedule an appointment at one of our 14 convenient locations so we can help get you back to FEELING and SEEING your best!
Jen ReynoldsOD – VisionFirst