Seasonal Allergies, Contact Lenses and LASIK

Although many people enjoy the onset of spring when they get to welcome warm weather, for some people, this is a time when they experience seasonal allergies that are characterized by irritated, red, itchy eyes. This is because it is the time when flowers bloom, hence an increased presence of pollen in the atmosphere. 
It is estimated that about one in 10 Americans are said to suffer from allergies with the most common symptoms being sneezing, congestion, running nose as well as itchy watery eyes. These have an impact on your ability to pursue outdoor activities like exercise or spending time with friends and family. 

Burning, scratchy or watery eyes are some of the most irritating reactions to seasonal allergy and using contact lenses could only make the situation worse. 

An immune response triggers allergies. That is, allergies are a reaction of the body to as well as fight against a perceived enemy, usually a foreign substance that may be potentially harmful. 

If you are constantly tearing up or have to simply endure the irritated eyes and cloudy contact lenses, it is important that you consider seeking a permanent, yet safe solution, preferably laser eye surgery like LASIK that offers relief to the allergic reaction. LASIK promises to relieve you from the extensive pain of putting up with pollen that is trapped in contact lenses, making eyes extremely inflamed and irritable. This surgery mainly reshapes the eye in order to reduce or eliminate the need for contacts or glasses making vision a reality. 

Whether you experience seasonal allergies during fall, spring or all year round, coping with eyes that are inflamed with allergies can be a daunting task that can reduce your efficiency when reading, working teeing-off or simply texting on your phone. 

Seasonal Allergies that are Common in Fall and the Symptoms of Allergic Reactions

WebMD suggests that at least a third of Americans have suffered from hay fever as a result of allergic reaction to plant pollen such as ragweed. Although ragweed accounts for a large percentage of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, mold and dust may also trigger a severe reaction.  
Some of the common symptoms that people who suffer from seasonal allergies exhibit include the following:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Irritated eyes
• Coughing

Patients who have vision problems as well as seasonal allergies tend to experience a dramatic increase in the symptoms. These symptoms may be so severe you even consider, for example, wearing eye protection designed for shooting to prevent pollen exposure; LASIK means such extreme and outlandish measures are not necessary however! 

LASIK Surgery, A Solution to Itchy Irritated Eyes

While airborne allergens aggravate the eyes, wearing contact lenses makes the irritation worse. This is because contact lenses are more like a magnet for airborne allergens that cause the eyes to feel dry, painful and extremely itchy. For this reason, many people who wear contact lenses opt to wear glasses as a way of avoiding eye irritation. 

LASIK surgery is a solution to irritated and itchy eyes that is common among seasonal allergy sufferers. What is LASIK eye surgery? LASIK refers to laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis that employs the use of two different lasers to not only access but also shape the deeper part of the cornea that is also referred to as stroma leading to sharper vision. 

It is an ideal option that can eliminate dependence on contact lenses as well as other corrective eye wear, giving you freedom. 

Although allergies and laser eye surgery may seem to be unrelated, it has been found to not only be an effective but also permanent solution for those people suffering from allergies and use contact lenses or glasses. This is not to say that it will prevent you from experiencing the seasonal allergies. This surgery significantly reduces and in some instances eliminates the need for glasses and contacts. 

Ultimately, you must disclose any allergy symptoms to your physician on your initial appointment so that he can determine the ideal solution for the allergy symptoms. 

Some of the temporary solutions for seasonal allergies that you may be offered prior to surgery include the following:

• Be sure to close the windows of your home and cars
• Wear close fitting sunglasses
• Use artificial tears or eye drops to reduce the feeling of irritation or dryness
• Control the amount of time spent outdoors especially on days when there is high pollen count. 
• Apply a cool washcloth over your eyes if they are itching or hurting
• Improve the quality of your indoor air and ensure your vents and filters are cleaned well.
• Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your home or office to reduce dust and pollen 
• Check your local pollen count report during the high pollen count days 

Overall, you will do well to consult your eye doctor long before the peak of the allergy season sets in. Most importantly, equip yourself with information about seasonal allergy so that you can be able to enjoy being active outdoors during spring. 

​Author Bio: Aaron Barriga aspired to become an Eye Doctor when he was younger, but his fantastic knack for understanding people and his outgoing personality led him into the field of Marketing. Working at Insight Vision Centre as their Online Marketing Manager, he has the best of both worlds. He blogs with a mission of informing readers about the latest eye care technology and topics related to eye care and eye health. He loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.