Allergy to contact lenses. Seasonal allergies and contact lenses: ways to solve the problem

Recently, contact lenses have really helped many people. You no longer need to wear large glasses and can simply use contact lenses that are small in size. Now these devices can be used not only to improve vision, but also as a decorative element. When the product is used for decorative purposes, then in this case you may experience an allergy to the lenses.

Sometimes allergies may occur while wearing lenses.

In this article you can find information on how to avoid contact lens allergies. We have also presented to your attention a video about why allergic manifestations can occur.

What is a contact lens allergy?

If you encounter certain problems, then you should not delay it and it is better to contact a specialist who is ready to help. The main symptoms of allergic reactions include:

1. Cutting.
2. Release of tear secretion.
3. Burning.
4. The occurrence of dryness.
5. Redness.

It is important to know! If you notice a certain symptom, then remember to avoid mechanical contact with the eyes, as this may aggravate the situation.

What to do if allergic reactions occur?

Very often, redness can appear when you simply do not have the opportunity to visit a doctor. If you cannot visit a specialist, then remember that in this case you need to take the following steps to help alleviate the condition:

• First you will need to purchase ones that will help clean lacrimal gland from allergens. The most popular drops are the drug "".
• Wash your face more often. Thanks to this, you can get rid of allergens. Of course, washing alone will not do anything and therefore you will need to combine it with the use of eye drops.
• If you go outside in the summer, then you need to use sun lenses. This will especially apply to “seasonal” months.
• Purchase a high-quality multi-purpose solution and treat your lenses more often.

Remember that these will only be temporary measures and therefore it is best to contact specialists who will help you.

Allergy to contact lens solution

Finding out whether the solution is the cause of the allergy will be quite simple. To answer this question, you will simply need to purchase a different solution. If you notice that the irritation partially disappears, then in this case you will be able to understand that the solution was indeed of poor quality. In this case, you may also encounter certain nuances. If everything was fine before, then the solution is not the cause. When choosing a solution, stop at three options and gradually study the situation.

How to avoid allergic reactions?

Many people who use a variety of lenses neglect eye drops. Such products allow you to restore the natural alkaline balance. Thanks to such a solution, there is also a wonderful opportunity to avoid the manifestation of various infections.

When choosing lenses, preference should be given only to soft contact lenses. Modern models actually allow oxygen to pass through and therefore can be worn for a long time. Many ophthalmologists assure that when using such lenses you can significantly reduce the risk of infectious diseases. Lens containers should not be washed with tap water. To do this, you will need to use only boiled water.

About contact lenses for allergies

If a person constantly suffers from seasonal allergies, then wearing lenses will need to be stopped. If you still use contact lenses, then in this case it is best to contact specialists who will conduct an examination. Many experts today recommend using daily lenses.

The only problem with disposable devices is that the cost in this case can increase significantly. But if you want comfort and eye health, then the price should not stop you.

Contact lenses have become a true salvation for those who strive to see and look good. And today these devices are used not only in contact correction vision, but also for decorative purposes (with their help they change the color of the eyes). But there is an opinion that lenses can damage eye health, cause allergies, redness and tearing.

What kind of allergy to lenses is this?

An allergy to lenses can hardly be called such in our usual understanding. Yes, many lens wearers suffer from red eyes, but this is certainly not an allergy. After all, if the “contacts” are made of high-quality material, and the wearing period is fully respected, then they are unlikely to cause allergies. Often (if we are talking about the first month of wearing) this is just a normal reaction to a foreign irritant, which passes quickly enough, or a seasonal allergy. Also, some components of the multi-purpose solution can cause a reaction. In this case, all that remains is to change the solution to another. Anyway, the real reason You will learn about an allergic reaction either from an allergist or an ophthalmologist.

Don't delay your visit to the doctor, because behind the usual redness there may be Very serious illness , requiring immediate treatment.

The main symptoms of such a reaction include:

• pain;
• tear secretion;
• burning;
• dryness, discomfort;
• the appearance of edema;
• redness.

On a note! If you notice any of the symptoms of an allergy to lenses, try to avoid mechanical contact with your eyes - this will only worsen the situation. Simply put, don't touch your eyes or rub them.

What to do if an allergic reaction occurs?

Very often, redness appears “in time”, when there is no opportunity to visit a doctor. There are a number of activities that will help alleviate the condition at first. But remember that at the first opportunity you should immediately go to an ophthalmologist.

1. First of all, should always be with you eye drops , designed to clean the lacrimal gland from allergens. This could be, for example, an “artificial tear”, the composition of which is practically no different from the composition of ordinary human tears. Try to put these drops in your eyes as often as possible.
2. Wash your face more often– this will also help remove allergens. Of course, washing alone will not get rid of allergies, but in combination with eye drops it will help relieve irritation.
3. Going out into the street wear sunglasses to prevent eye contact with allergens. This is especially true for “seasonal” months.
4. Buy better multi-purpose solution, clean your appliances as often as possible. Perform enzymatic cleaning regularly.

But know that these are only temporary measures, and a medical examination is required in any case.

Allergy to contact lens solution

Finding out whether a solution is the cause of an allergy is quite simple. As I just said, you just need to change it to another one, and then observe the reaction of the eyes for a while. And if the irritation has partially disappeared, it means that you used a low-quality solution or it simply does not suit you. But in this case there are some nuances. So, if before this the solution suited you quite well, then this is most likely not the reason. And if you still decide to try another, then stop at several options at once (no more than three, because such experiments can end badly). Monitor your eye reaction: is irritation still present? If yes, then the reason does not lie in the solution.

How to avoid all this?

Many lens wearers disdain eye drops. And in vain, because these drops not only restore natural acid-base balance, but are also an effective lubricant. Moreover, they reduce the risk of infections, and they can be used not only when wearing “contacts”.

As for the lenses themselves, they should be soft, with a uniform surface. Modern silicone hydrogel models (they are also called “breathable”) allow oxygen to pass through, so they can be worn without taking them off, long time. According to ophthalmologists, the use of such lenses minimizes the risk of developing infectious diseases. Do not rinse containers with tap water - use only boiled water, and try to do this after each cleaning.

About contact lenses for allergies

It is better for a person suffering from seasonal allergies to refrain from wearing it. By at least before the doctor conducts the examination. If he says that the lenses will not worsen the situation, then wearing them can be resumed. But I advise you to use one-day models in this case - they are very easy to use, because they do not require maintenance. After each removal they are simply thrown away. Experts assure that these are the lenses that allergy sufferers should wear during periods of exacerbation.

The only drawback of disposable devices is their cost: a set for a month will cost several times more expensive than a pair of monthly lenses. But this does not stop people who care about the comfort and health of their eyes.

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Causes

An eye allergy is the body's response to a certain irritant. Allergens can be:

• plant pollen;
• facilities household chemicals;
• decorative cosmetics;
• volatile chemicals (in pharmaceutical, chemical, paint and varnish and other industries);
• pet hair, bird fluff;
• dust;
• tobacco smoke;
• pharmaceuticals;
• infectious microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi);
• physical factors (exposure to cold and ultraviolet rays, wearing contact lenses, foreign body entry).

In addition, allergies can occur in postoperative period with increased sensitivity to suture materials, as a reaction to tissue damage.

Factors predisposing to the development of inflammation are:

1. hereditary predisposition;
2. weakening of local immunity;
3. dry eyes (develops in drivers, people who constantly work at a computer, when reading or performing other visual work in poor lighting conditions).

Kinds

Inflammation due to allergies can affect the outer and inner membranes of the eyes. Based on localization, clinical manifestations of inflammation and types of irritants, eye allergies are divided into several types.

Papillary conjunctivitis

Occurs when the conjunctiva is mechanically irritated by contact lenses. In this case, the irritant can be either contact lenses or saline, which is used to care for them.

The main manifestations of papillary conjunctivitis are:

1. small tubercles (follicles) on the mucous membrane upper eyelid;
2. point erosions on the surface of the cornea;
3. swelling and redness of the conjunctiva.

Contact dermatitis

Allergy to the eyes becomes a consequence of the use of low-quality/expired decorative cosmetics, the use of external pharmacological agents (cream, gel, ointment) in the treatment of dermatitis on the face.

Contact dermatitis is accompanied by:

1. the appearance of a small rash around the eyes;
2. swelling of the eyelids;
3. redness

Keratoconjunctivitis

Inflammation is more often diagnosed in boys aged 5 to 12 years, which doctors explain as unstable hormonal levels. Keratoconjunctivitis is characterized by prolonged, persistent, chronic course. Often the disease develops as a complication of atopic dermatitis or neurodermatitis.

The inflammation involves the conjunctiva and the membrane of the cornea. The main signs of keratoconjunctivitis are:

1. redness, clouding of the mucous membrane;
2. unbearable itching;
3. deterioration of visual function.

Spring allergies

Spring allergies are caused by climate conditions. It is often diagnosed in people living in areas where, with the arrival of spring, constant dry winds begin to blow. Less commonly, the cause of spring conjunctivitis is exposure to the eyes. high doses ultraviolet radiation (bright sunlight).

Inflammation is accompanied by:

1. swelling of the eyelids;
2. redness of the sclera;
3. release of viscous secretion;
4. severe itching;
5. increased photosensitivity;
6. lacrimation;
7. inflammation of the cornea.

Cold allergy

The conjunctiva becomes inflamed in the cold season in response to the action low temperatures. More often cold reaction occurs in young children. After a walk in the frosty air, a child’s eyes become red, swollen, itchy, and the skin of the eyelids peels off.

Allergic conjunctivitis

It is a response to exposure to a particular allergen and is often accompanied by other manifestations of allergies.

Hay fever

Inflammation develops in spring and early summer. Irritation is caused by pollen from flowering plants falling on the conjunctiva of the eyes. Allergies to the eyes are often accompanied by allergic rhinitis, manifested by sneezing, discharge of liquid secretions and nasal congestion. Also with hay fever it is possible skin reactions(rash) and a strong dry cough with attacks of suffocation.

Drug

Inflammation occurs after the use of a particular drug, it can develop acutely - within several hours or one day, or it becomes chronic, lasting several days or weeks (with prolonged treatment with a drug that causes an allergy).

The main component can provoke a reaction pharmacological agent or excipients.

Infectious

Allergy to the eyes becomes a complication of acute bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, accompanied by:

1. eye irritation;
2. swelling of the mucous membranes;
3. looseness and pastiness of the tissues of the eyeball.

Symptoms of acute and chronic inflammation

According to the nature of the flow, acute and chronic form allergic inflammation.

Acute inflammation develops rapidly 3–24 hours after exposure to the irritant. Inflammatory process bilateral, except in situations where the allergen comes into contact with the mucous membrane of only one eye.

The main signs of acute allergic inflammation include:

1. itching, burning, feeling of sand in the eyes;
2. redness of the eyelids;
3. swelling;
4. rapid eye fatigue;
5. increased sensitivity to light;
6. tearfulness, worse in bright sun;
7. eyelid twitching (not always);
8. release of purulent secretion (with infectious-allergic inflammation).

Chronic inflammation develops over several days or weeks and is characterized by a sluggish course with periodic itching and a burning sensation in the eyes.

Diagnostics

Manifestations of allergies can be pronounced, which allows the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis after a visual examination and analysis of the patient’s complaints.

However, often to confirm the diagnosis and exclude infectious conjunctivitis, a diagnostic measures, namely:

• general blood test, urine test;
• blood serum tests for immunoglobulins;
• determining the presence of eosinophils in the blood and conjunctival scrapings.

If the allergic nature of the inflammation is confirmed, additional research(to accurately identify the allergen).

1. Scarification tests. A drop of solution with the suspected allergen is applied to the skin, then small scratches are made in this area with a scarifier. If the skin at the site of the scratches does not swell or redden, it means that there is no allergy to this irritant.
2. Prick tests. A few drops of the allergen solution are applied to the skin, then a puncture is made in this place with a thin needle. The results are assessed in the same way as with scratch tests.
3. Nasal, conjunctival, sublingual provocative tests. The allergen solution is applied, respectively, to the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and conjunctiva of the eyes.

Allergy tests are carried out with caution during the period of remission (weakening of inflammation symptoms).

Treatment

Treatment for any type of eye allergy includes:

1. avoiding contact with the allergen;
2. symptomatic drug therapy;
3. immunotherapy.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines for oral administration are prescribed for severe inflammation. Antiallergic tablets are usually recommended for adults, and drops or syrups for children. Duration treatment course– from 3 to 6 days.

Most often used antihistamines 2nd and 3rd generation (Erius, Cetirizine, Telfast, Claritin), since they do not depress the central nervous system. 1st generation antiallergic drugs (Diazalin) have an inhibitory effect on the nervous system and cause severe drowsiness. Prescribed only because of low cost, and the doctor must inform the patient about side effects drug.

Preparations for topical use

Local treatment of eye allergies is carried out comprehensively, including the use of eye drops:

1. antiallergic (Opatanol, Allergodil) – reduce the body’s response to histamine, released during the development of allergic inflammation, thereby quickly eliminating or reducing the severity of allergy symptoms;
2. membrane-stabilizing (Cromoglin, Cromohexal, Optikrom) - suppress the release of histamine by mast cells, are used for a long time, since they begin to act 10-14 days after the start of use;
3. vasoconstrictors (Vizin, Octilia) - quickly relieve itching, redness, swelling, but do not have therapeutic effects, are used once to relieve symptoms, but are not suitable for treatment.

Vasoconstrictor eye drops are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age.

In case of severe inflammation, treatment may be prescribed eye ointments, creams and drops based on hormones from the glucocorticosteroid group (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, prednisolone). They are characterized by pronounced anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects.

However hormonal agents have wide range contraindications, may cause serious adverse reactions– damage to the eye membranes, secondary glaucoma, steroid cataract. Drugs in this group are prescribed only for severe inflammation, short courses.

General restorative therapy

Since the mechanism of allergy development is a disruption of the immune system, the doctor may additionally prescribe restoratives. Particular attention should be paid to the state of the immune system if a child suffers from allergies. Most often, experts prescribe vitamin-mineral complexes and fish oil.

Folk remedies

You can supplement drug therapy with folk remedies that help reduce inflammation and alleviate allergy symptoms.

1. Herbal infusions. For allergies, infusions of thyme, chamomile, and dill relieve inflammation well. To prepare the product, pour 1–2 tablespoons of the herb into a glass of boiling water, infuse, and filter. A cotton pad soaked in the infusion is applied to the eyes for 5–10 minutes.
2. Aloe juice solution. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and quickly reduces allergy symptoms. To prepare the medicine, you need to squeeze a little juice from a clean aloe leaf, dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:10. Wash your eyes with the resulting product 4–6 times a day.
3. Green tea. Brew strong green tea. Apply a cotton pad soaked in the product to your eyelids for 10–15 minutes.

Solutions used for compresses, lotions or eye washes should be slightly warm, never cold or hot.

If alarming symptoms appear, you should consult an ophthalmologist to make an accurate diagnosis, since the symptoms of allergies are similar to the manifestations of other ophthalmological diseases. Self-treatment is not always effective, and in some cases it only aggravates unpleasant symptoms.

If eye allergies are not treated, inflammation may be complicated by bacterial or viral infection, hyperkeratosis or keratitis. Lack of timely treatment can lead to exacerbation of glaucoma and other chronic eye diseases.

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What is an allergy?

First, let’s define the terms and refresh our memory general concepts for allergies. Allergy is increased sensitivity to various substances - allergens, manifested by symptoms allergic disease. The most common expressions of allergies are respiratory or airway allergies, allergic dermatoses, allergic enteropathy and anaphylactic shock. Up to 25% of the population of some industrial areas suffers from some kind of allergic disease. The incidence of allergies and their severity are steadily increasing throughout the world. An allergen is a substance that can cause sensitization - a special state of the body's immune system, characteristic of people suffering from allergic diseases. The nature of allergies is immunological; it lies in the dysregulation of the immune response.

Each individual allergen can initiate whole line diseases. For example, a birch pollen allergen in a patient with hay fever can not only cause rhinoconjunctivitis, but also provoke bronchospasm and cause urticaria. The majority of “allergy sufferers” react to a whole range of allergens, for example, pollen, household and epidermal allergens at the same time.
Respiratory allergies are usually caused by very small allergens present in the air - aeroallergens (plant pollen, particles of animal hair and dander, mold spores, mite fragments house dust and cockroaches). Upon contact with the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, aeroallergens cause sneezing, itchy nose, watery nasal discharge, coughing, wheezing in the lungs and suffocation. Hay fever (hay fever), perennial allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma are the main manifestations respiratory allergies. Aeroallergens can cause allergic conjunctivitis accompanied by itchy eyes and watery eyes.

Eyes and allergies

There are six main types of eye diseases of allergic etiology: seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, atopic conjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis and acute allergic conjunctivitis.

Seasonal (spring) allergic conjunctivitis is a symptom of “hay fever” and is the most common allergic reaction, accounting for approximately half of all allergy cases. Year-round allergic conjunctivitis, which can manifest itself throughout the year, is observed less frequently, namely in one percent of “allergy sufferers.” Spring conjunctivitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which mainly affects young men living in hot countries, but cases have also been reported in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom. Symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis include sudden (or frequently recurring) watery eyes, redness of the eye (usually both eyes), pain, or an itchy sensation.

Allergies and wearing contact lenses

Permanent “allergy sufferers” wear contact lenses less often: according to statistics, among people suffering from allergies, 5% use contact correction services, while among the population not susceptible to allergies, their share is 7%. At the same time, the latter can also suffer from allergies from time to time - sometimes they have allergic conjunctivitis, year-round allergic conjunctivitis, papillary conjunctivitis caused by contact lenses (a type of giant papillary conjunctivitis).

Contact lens users using contact lens care chemical systems, may also be allergic to the components of the solutions. Doctors-contactologists play important role in providing assistance to contact lens consumers experiencing allergies. In many cases, the problem that has arisen can be relatively easily solved by the contact specialist himself. With proper treatment of seasonal or year-round allergic conjunctivitis, there will be no contraindications to wearing contact lenses. In any case, since it is still better to try to prevent a disease than to treat it later, great attention Care should be taken to explain to patients the steps they should take to prevent allergies, and there should be regular follow-up visits at which patients can be asked about allergies and identify possible symptoms its development.

Allergy prevention

Generally speaking, preventing the development of allergies is a rather difficult task. The doctor is often faced with an existing disease. But if patients know they are at increased risk of developing an allergy, they can try to avoid it. First of all, this applies to children whose parents suffer from any allergic disease. Exposure to smoke, including tobacco, artificial feeding infants, irrational introduction of complementary foods, food containing allergens - all this will contribute to the development of allergies in childhood.

The first stage of treatment for any allergy is elimination of the allergen (removing it from the patient’s environment). That is, you should try to avoid contact with disease-causing allergens. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, “massive” contact with the allergen can lead to serious complications, including status asthmaticus or anaphylactic shock. Secondly, in the case of some patients, antiallergic drugs, even in large doses, are not effective enough to relieve the manifestations of the disease. Thirdly, by reducing contact with allergens, the patient reduces the need for antiallergic and antiasthmatic medications.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid allergens completely. After all, absolute prevention of contact with pollen is impossible, unless you go to another climate zone where there are none during the flowering period of “allergenic” plants. Pollen floats in the air, and patients come into contact with it every time they go outside. It penetrates into the house through open windows and doors.

A complete absence of contact with epidermal allergens (fur, dandruff) is also very difficult to achieve. You can, of course, not allow the animal into the room, but its allergens will still be airborne. If a dog or cat lives on the street, then the fur will get into the apartment on the clothes. Moreover, even if you remove animals from the house, its allergens will be invisibly present in the apartment for several months.

But you can take various measures to reduce the number of mites and house dust. As for ticks, it is necessary to deprive them of comfortable conditions for reproduction and life in the apartment. Reducing dust can be achieved by removing all dust collectors (carpets, tapestries, etc.), you can try to reduce the humidity in the house - for example, regularly ventilate the house or use air conditioning. Particular attention should be paid to the bed and bedding.

It was found that the combination of such simple methods such as opening windows more frequently, no unheated rooms in the building in winter, no laundry drying in the building, repairing leaking taps, higher cleaning standards, increased bathroom ventilation and less indoor plants, can lead to a significant reduction in the concentration of mold spores in the air of premises already infected with mold fungi.

Ways to combat allergy irritants

The spring period can become a headache for a contact specialist - pollen from wildly flowering plants often causes allergies in patients (this is especially likely when wearing hydrogel lenses, on which the allergen can gradually accumulate). Since plant pollen can penetrate almost any location, attention should be paid to methods to reduce the likelihood of contact with it. Contact doctors can inform their patients in advance about methods of “combat pollen” - before the onset of allergy season, and then allergies will have less impact on their health.

Physical barriers. During difficult periods, contact lens users can additionally wear corrective glasses or sunglasses, the frames of which fit tightly to the face. You should keep your windows closed, this also applies to car windows. Air cleaning. Highly effective, high-quality air purifiers can reduce the concentration of pollen and dust in the room where the patient lives or works. Of course, in our Russian reality, not everyone can afford to have an air purifier at home, but it is worth remembering that this is one of the ways to solve the problem of allergies.
Eye drops. Frequent use low-viscosity, preservative-free artificial tear preparations (for example, drops produced by Sauflon, Opti-Free from Alcon, etc.) can help dissolve and remove irritants. The same is true for instilled contact lens cleaners (such as Advanced Medical Optics' Blink-N-Clean or Alcon's Clerz Plus).

Contact lens care products. For patients suffering from allergies, Western experts recommend not to skip the procedure of mechanically cleaning contact lenses with their fingers, even if they use a multifunctional solution labeled “No Rub” (or “No Rub, No Rinse”). This cleaning removes deposits and possible allergens.

Other methods. It is recommended to rinse your face and hands frequently throughout the day. cold water. If allergy symptoms occur, applying a cold compress can help relieve pain. Contact lenses, of course, should be removed first.

How to help people who wear contact lenses?

To address the problem of allergies among contact lens wearers, various strategies have been presented in the Western literature. According to some of them, it is necessary to reduce the likelihood of allergens getting into the eye; according to others, if allergy symptoms appear, you should use medications. The first includes practices such as prescribing daily contact lenses, increasing the frequency of contact lens replacement during peak allergy season, switching patients to preservative-free contact lens care products, and using daily cleaner; it is also possible to switch to wearing soft contact lenses made of another material, reducing the time of wearing the lenses in daytime. To relieve allergy symptoms, it is recommended to use warm compresses and massage of the eyelids, instillation of moisturizing drops (preferably not containing preservatives), the use of special drops to treat allergies before and after wearing a contact lens during the peak of allergies.

It is still considered the most optimal to transfer patients to wearing daily contact lenses. Firstly, they eliminate the need to use care products that themselves can cause allergies, and secondly, daily replacement helps prevent the accumulation of allergens on the surface of the contact lens, which occurs with other wearing modes. In the USA, the Quality Assurance Authority food products, Drug and Cosmetic (FDA) has granted approval to market two brands of daily contact lenses as vision correction products to help reduce symptoms during allergy season.

What daily contact lenses are currently available on the market? Russian market? These are contact lenses from well-known manufacturers: Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Ocular Sciences.

Allergy to components of contact lens care solutions

Contact lens wearers who use chemical disinfectant systems may experience allergies to the preservatives contained in them. For this reason, the patient's chart should record which solution the patient is using, and make appropriate changes during follow-up examinations if the patient switches to a different brand of solution. Patients need to understand that they may be allergic to components of the solutions, so they should think carefully before switching to a new solution (often this is done for economic reasons). If, when switching to a new solution, symptoms of an allergic reaction occur, the solution would be to return the patient to use the previous solution or to a solution that contains a different preservative (however, it should be noted that in many multifunctional solutions they are the same).

The most optimal solution when establishing a patient’s hypersensitivity to the components of the solution is to transfer it to the peroxide system. Such a system, upon neutralization, goes into saline solution, and there is no problem with preservatives. Among the peroxide systems available on our market are “AOSept” from CIBA Vision and “One Step” from Sauflon.

The One Step peroxide system is easy to use: the patient only needs to place the contact lenses in the solution container in the evening and remove them ready to wear in the morning. Contact lenses must be in the solution for at least 6 hours - otherwise the neutralization of the peroxide will not have time to complete, and the patient will receive an eye burn. The One Step system effectively cleans contact lenses without mechanical finger cleaning or rinsing. This cleans and rinses the entire surface of the contact lens. The 3% hydrogen peroxide solution included in the system is recognized by experts as the most effective disinfectant. After neutralization of hydrogen peroxide is complete, an isotonic saline solution is formed in the container, in which you can safely store the lens for up to 7 days. Patients should know the specifics of using the “One Step” system: it is important not to overfill the container with solution, not to turn the container over during and after neutralization of peroxide, do not forget to keep the contact lens in the solution for at least 6 hours, and do not spill peroxide on outside container and, of course, do not rinse the contact lens with a peroxide solution before putting it on.
In specialized Western literature, the use of daily contact lenses is proposed as the most optimal method of reducing the risk of allergies, for example, during the wild flowering season of plants. Although these contact lenses are expensive for many patients living in our country, the transition to wearing them is temporary, during the peak of allergies, after which you can return to wearing regular, say, two-week or monthly contact lenses. Patients experiencing allergy symptoms can benefit from cold compresses and artificial tears. In any case, we thought it would be useful to collect in one article the experience gained in the West in combating allergies in contact vision correction, and we hope that the presented material will be useful to you.

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Irritation from contact lenses

It must be admitted, of course, that redness of the eyes is not uncommon for those who wear contact lenses. But this cannot be called an allergy in the usual sense of the word. It's more of a reaction to foreign body, which goes away on its own. Lenses themselves, if they are made of high-quality materials, cannot be a source of allergies. It is more likely that lens care solution can cause such reactions than the lenses themselves.

Allergies that manifest as red eyes can have many different causes. People who are generally predisposed to allergic reactions to natural phenomena, may have red eyes due to pollen or, for example, poplar fluff. And other seasonal phenomena can be the causes of such an illness, then redness will appear seasonally along with the cause of irritation. In this case, you should definitely visit not only an ophthalmologist, but also an allergy specialist, who will help identify the cause of the allergic reaction and prescribe appropriate treatment. However, there is no need to put off going to the ophthalmologist; perhaps behind the innocent redness of the eyes there is some more serious illness and you need urgent and thorough treatment to protect yourself from complications.

Allergy to contact lenses: what to do?

Redness can catch you at the most inopportune moment, when you do not have the opportunity to visit an ophthalmologist. In this case, you need to know several procedures emergency care, which will ease your suffering until you can get an appointment with a doctor.

First, you must always have special eye drops on hand that can cleanse the lacrimal gland of dust or allergen. These can be not only drops, but also special drugs, containing artificial tears that resemble our regular tears in composition and are very close to them. These products should be instilled into the eyes as often as possible.

Secondly, you need to wash your face as often as possible, which will also help quick removal source of allergies from the eyes. Of course, just washing your face will not save you from allergies, but it will greatly help relieve irritation, along with eye drops.

Thirdly, you need to change the solution to a better one, and also perform it as often as possible mechanical cleaning contact lenses. Today there are special solutions that can not only store lenses, but also simultaneously clean them while you are not wearing them.

And finally, fourthly, do not forget about sunglasses, which also provide additional protection from dust and allergens.

Contact lens solution

It is not difficult to confirm that the cause of an allergy to contact lenses is the solution for storing them. Just change the solution and watch how your eyes react. A decrease in irritation clearly indicates that you are using a solution that is not suitable for you or is of poor quality. The cause of allergies in in this case there may be a reaction to some component (preservative or active substance) solution. Because of this, it is worth trying other solutions. However, there are nuances here. For example, if before irritation you did not have any complaints about the solution or the behavior of your eyes, most likely the reason is not in the solution. If you have already decided to try a different solution for storing lenses, then you don’t need to try everything. You need to stop at 2-3 solutions, since such experiments may not end very well. After changing the solution, you need to monitor the reaction of the eyes - if the irritation persists, then most likely the problem is not in the solution at all.

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Home -> Allergies and contact lenses

Contact lenses have become widely popular in recent decades. They are used to correct many vision problems, and their manufacturing technology continues to improve.

According to the material of manufacture they are:

• — they are made from hydrogel or silicone hydrogel;
• — they are made of polymer materials, both permeable and non-permeable to gases.

Only a small percentage of people have difficulty wearing them. But even if problems are rare, they can become serious.

Almost all complications arise from poor hygiene and improper care: lack of cleaning and disinfection of lenses, non-compliance with wearing them, lack of regular examinations by an ophthalmologist.

Here we look at the most common types of possible consequences of wearing contact lenses.

Corneal edema

A common phenomenon observed when insufficient oxygen reaches the cornea. More often it occurs as a result of sleeping in lenses or wearing incorrectly fitted lenses when their shape does not suit the patient.

Symptoms include blurry or foggy vision, rainbows around light sources, and red eyes. Swelling should be treated and lens use discontinued. Improvement comes quite quickly.

Protein deposits

This phenomenon is widespread and often unavoidable. Fortunately, it may be one of the most harmless complications of contact lens wear.

Proteins, lipids, and calcium contained in the tear film often interact and bind to the material from which the lens is made. They accumulate on its surface, forming convex roughness and irregularities. They can be easily detected under a microscope, but to the naked eye the surface of the lens may appear greasy or opaque.

Over time, protein deposits can build up and cause irritation, blurred vision, itching and redness of the skin. This leads to a decrease in lens wearing time. In the most severe cases, deposits can cause infection, which can lead to serious vision problems. Consider this an early warning sign.

Patients with this problem should be closely monitored. The specialist may recommend some measures to reduce protein deposits.

In particular, switching to a multi-purpose solution containing an enzyme cleaner may be helpful. Changing lenses more frequently or using daily disposable lenses can also help control protein deposits.

Some polymers, such as crofilcon A, atlafilcon A, netrafilcon A, are more resistant to deposits. Accordingly, lenses made from such materials can be recommended for people suffering from their excessive formation.

Do not forget that deposits increase the risk of lens infection by microorganisms that can enter the eye. Since even such microscopic formations on the surface of the lens, interacting with the cornea, scratch and damage it.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)

Characterized by the appearance of a tubercle (papilla) on the mucous membrane of the eye ( inner surface upper eyelid). Such formations are predominantly an accumulation of mast cells, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, which increases over time and the mucous membrane thickens.

The most common cause is wearing contact lenses of any kind, allergic reactions to deposits or cleaning solutions. However, rigid gas permeable lenses and soft lenses with frequent routine replacement cause it less frequently.

Heavy discharge, intolerance to contact lenses, eye irritation, itching, infections, sensation of a foreign body in the eye are symptoms of this disease.

To treat GPC, it is necessary to stop or reduce the period of wearing lenses to 2-4 weeks. Choose lenses of a different design (with different edges), shorter wear time, or made of a different material. This may help manage the mechanical aspects of the disease.

Medications that stabilize mast cell development or drops that reduce burning and pain in the eyes may also be prescribed. But this only applies in conjunction with changing the patient's lens type.

After taking such measures, the symptoms go away quickly, but the papillae themselves disappear only after a few months.

Corneal neovascularization

Pathological proliferation of blood vessels on the cornea, which can negatively affect vision. Its cause may be long-term wearing of soft contact lenses (with low oxygen permeability) and the resulting hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the cornea

Microbial keratitis

This disease is one of the most serious possible complications when wearing lenses, which may result in vision loss.

The eye has a specific defense mechanism to prevent infection. The eyelids clean the surface of the eyes, tears wash away debris and pathogens, and old epithelial cells die and are replaced by new ones.

But, despite this natural defense system, patients with microbial keratitis appear every year. These are mainly those who use permanent lenses, which can be worn for up to 30 days without removing them.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis are the cause of this disease.

Main symptoms:

• Pain;
• Photophobia;
• lacrimation;
• Purulent compartments;
• Decreased vision soon after infection;
• The infiltrate is located in the center of the cornea;
• The condition is rapidly deteriorating.

Treatment should be started as early as possible.

Risk factors for developing this disease:

• Wearing contact lenses for a long time without removing or cleaning them;
• Infrequent lens replacement;
• Eye trauma, diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism;
• Dry eye syndrome.

Acanthamoeba keratitis

It is rare, but the most dangerous, since you can lose not only your vision, but also the eye itself.

Caused by Acanthamoeba, which freely lives in soil, water, in particular tap water. Can occur when wearing any type of lenses.

The danger is especially great if the lenses and containers for them are washed with tap water or if you swim without removing the lenses in a pool, bathtub or pond.

Corneal ulcer

Can form when the cornea has been damaged or broken. Therefore, it is not surprising that it occurs when wearing contact lenses. Especially in those patients who do not comply with hygiene requirements, wear lenses or do not remove them at the first sign of irritation or redness.

The signs, symptoms and treatment of this disease depend on whether the ulcer is infectious or sterile.

An infectious ulcer can be very painful, accompanied by purulent discharge, a hole usually occurs in the corneal epithelium. It can progress quickly depending on the type of bacteria that causes it. Requires immediate treatment with antibiotics.

Sterile ulcers (without pathogenic microbes) are not painful and may not have a hole in the corneal epithelium.

Eye allergies

The fact that contact lenses constantly touch the surface of the eye contributes to the occurrence of allergic reactions to the lens material, deposits on its surface, and solutions used to care for it.

A common allergen is preservatives found in lens solutions. If you have such a problem, you can switch to solutions that do not contain preservatives.

It is also common to have a reaction to protein deposits that accumulate on the inner surface of the lenses. This, in turn, can lead to papillary conjunctivitis. Rarely does an allergy to the lens material occur; this can be resolved by simply replacing them with a different brand or type.

The phenomenon of allergic conjunctivitis is common among contact lens wearers. It is characterized by itching, eye irritation, photophobia, lacrimation, corneal edema and discomfort when wearing lenses. An antiallergic agent is prescribed, which must be used before placing the lens in the eye.

Severe complications often arise due to the patient’s delay in seeing a doctor.

It is necessary to carefully and correctly carry out lens care procedures and follow the wearing regime. You should know the do's and don'ts of using them.

At the first signs of discomfort or redness of the eyes, remove the lenses and consult a specialist.

Despite all the undeniable advantages of contact lenses over glasses, they have one significant drawback - for many people, wearing lenses causes an allergic reaction, forcing them to return to glasses. This creates discomfort in everyday and professional life, since glasses are uncomfortable when engaging in active sports, swimming, and in some professions.

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What is an allergy? By this term, doctors mean increased sensitivity of the body to various substances, manifested by symptoms of an allergic disease. Substances that cause such a reaction are called allergens. They affect immune system humans, therefore all types of allergies are of immune origin.

Ophthalmologists distinguish six main types eye allergies, and all of them manifest themselves in the form of conjunctivitis: seasonal and year-round allergic conjunctivitis, spring conjunctivitis, atopic conjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, acute allergic conjunctivitis. If a person suffers from one of these allergies, wearing contact lenses poses a risk of developing it.

This is interesting:
According to statistics, in the United States, 25% of the population suffers from allergies to contact lenses; in Europe, every third resident suffers. Doctors say that the situation will worsen every year, and in ten years half the population will become allergic European countries. The vast majority of people suffering from allergies are between the ages of 18 and 34.

On average, 12% of the total number of people suffering from certain refractive errors use contact lenses. Of these, in 7% the allergy either does not manifest itself at all, or manifests itself slightly and only from time to time. The remaining 5% are permanent allergy sufferers.

The fact that a person is prone to allergies does not mean that he should necessarily refuse to wear contact lenses. With a moderate degree of allergic reactions, their use is quite acceptable, but subject to constant monitoring by a contact specialist. In other words, if you follow medical recommendations and rules for wearing contact lenses, the risk of allergies will be minimal. You need to be more careful and try to prevent the occurrence of allergies - after all, it is much easier to take preventive measures than to treat an allergic reaction that has already developed. This is especially true for those whose parents suffered or suffer from allergies, since it is inherited.

As for prevention, everything is purely individual. The doctor will advise you on the necessary measures after examination and delivery. necessary tests. However, there are several generally accepted rules that help reduce the likelihood of developing allergies. Firstly, it often occurs in people who use chemicals to care for contact lenses. As a rule, with the help of a doctor you can choose special means on the care of lenses that do not cause a reaction in a particular person. Secondly, lenses, especially long-term wearing, should be kept clean. In general, ideally, it is better to change lenses more often - even with careful care, deposits accumulate on them over time, which can cause allergies. Thirdly, allergy sufferers need to avoid situations and conditions that can provoke an allergic reaction: tobacco smoke, dusty rooms, dirt getting into the eyes, and so on.

Of course, it is impossible to completely avoid contact with allergens - from a smoky room, for example, you can simply go out into the fresh air, but what about the plant pollen that floats in the air during the flowering period? There is only one way out: try to minimize the time spent outside, keep the windows closed and take anti-allergy medications.

No less often, an allergic reaction develops in people to dogs, cats and other animals. Naturally, in this case it is better to give the animal to friends, relatives or to a special shelter. But allergy sufferers should remember that if a cat or dog lived directly in the apartment, allergens will still remain there and remain active for several months. During this period, it is recommended to take antiallergic medications.

Initially, I want to understand what an allergy is. Allergy is the body's increased sensitivity to to a certain substance. Such a substance can be any foreign body. Allergy to contact lenses is not a common phenomenon, since the problem with them most often arises from liquid.

It is difficult to identify the problem on your own; only qualified specialists can help. Redness of the eyes is not uncommon during the period of lens use, but this cannot be called an allergy. Rather, it is a reflex to a foreign object that disappears after cleansing. The lenses are made from high quality materials, so they cannot cause allergies. A similar side effect can be caused by liquid intended to maintain lenses in working condition. It is not advisable to ignore recommendations knowledgeable people who recommend using special eye drops. They make using lenses a more comfortable process, reducing the risk of infections and allergic reactions.

The most common side effect when using lenses there may be papillary conjunctivitis. Most likely it will be mistaken for an allergic version of this disease.

Types of conjunctivitis that cause allergies

1. The seasonal variety appears due to pollen and flowering. This type of reaction subsides in autumn and winter.
2. Chronic conjunctivitis. An illness that develops throughout the entire season. Symptoms are not clearly visible.
3. Large papillary variant. An inflammatory process when a foreign particle enters the eye. Reasons: lenses and seams.
4. Infectious-allergic type of disease. It may appear against the background of severe illnesses affecting the conjunctiva, eyelids, nose and mouth.
5. Drug-induced conjunctivitis can be caused by various medications. The reaction appears within the next two hours.

If there is one type of allergy, then wearing contact lenses for a person risks a recurrence of symptoms. However, there is no point in despair; you just need to see an ophthalmologist more often. So that there are no complications for your health.

Causes of allergies

• Incorrect selection of lenses, since the curvature and features inherent in the eye play a huge role.
• Incorrectly selected liquid for lenses, which contains a component that causes allergies.
• A reaction to proteins that occur when the lens is not cleaned very well or when worn frequently, it is necessary to periodically give the eyes a rest and wear glasses more often.
• A foreign body in the eye, this is exactly the sensation that occurs when you first use it or after a long break in wearing it.
• After corneal trauma, any lenses can cause discomfort, which leads to vision impairment.
• Various types of allergies can also cause discomfort when using lenses.
• A lack of oxygen in the cornea can cause spider veins to grow in, which can lead to blindness. Therefore, you should give your eyes a rest and wear glasses.
• Dry eyes also affect allergies. Therefore, you need to use drops similar to the composition of tears.
• Incorrect wearing should not be ruled out yet.

The real causes of allergies can be found in your doctor's office. By following the specialist’s instructions, you can avoid inconvenience and complications.

Allergy symptoms

• Resistant burning.
• Redness of the eyes.
• Feeling of a “dry” eye.
• Tear discharge.

To reduce symptoms, rinse your eyes clean water, since cleaning from the allergen will help alleviate the discomfort.

How to relieve allergy symptoms?

1. Using compresses and eyelid massage, anti-allergenic drops with a moisturizing or anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Replace old lenses with new ones. And try to wear daily ones, as this reduces the likelihood of symptoms appearing.
3. Try to reduce the period of wearing lenses.
4. You should also forget about good cleaning.

If symptoms of eye irritation do not go away, it is imperative to consult an ophthalmologist. The doctor will conduct an eye examination and, if an allergy is detected, will write a referral to an allergist.

Traditional methods of treatment

For decreasing discomfort Chamomile or tea compresses will help. This method has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and soothing properties. For the best effect, use loose leaf tea. The leaves are used as a compress, and tea leaves are used to wash the eyes.

For chamomile infusion you need to take 25 grams of finely ground chamomile and add 200 grams of hot water and leave for about 1-1.5 hours. After using these folk recipes, the effect appears almost immediately.

What drugs can be used?

The most popular medications are:

• Tavegil-available in different variations. Relieves symptoms and fights itching.
• Zodak- antiexudative and antipruritic drug, helps prevent edema, does not cause drowsiness.
• Cromohexal- eye drops. It has an antiallergic effect, removes redness and swelling of the eyelids, relieves irritation and the feeling of “dry” eyes.
• Lecrolin-eye drops. Helps with seasonal allergies and various allergic reactions, stabilizes the mast cell membrane and successfully fights symptoms.
• Opatanol- eye drops. Reduce pain and dull burning sensation. It is also worth considering that they cannot be used if you are particularly sensitive to the composition of the drops.
• Octilia- eye drops. They have a vasoconstrictor effect, relieve swelling, lacrimation and itching.

Such drugs are most common among people who are allergic to lenses.