What Are the Common Causes of an Allergic Reaction to Contact Lenses?

An eye allergy is an overreaction of the eye to a substance that is thought to harm it. For example, dust mites are not harmful to most people, but they are like shocks to allergic patients. The eyes secrete tears and mucus and try to wash them away. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) is probably the most common eye allergy, often caused by exposure to pollen and other environmental factors. The signs and symptoms of SAC usually appear in spring and summer, and their severity varies with the amount of pollen every day. The incidence and severity of SAC caused by seasonal pollen decreased significantly during the season with less pollen or relatively lack of sunlight. Allergens such as dust, mold, and animal fur can cause similar allergic reactions.

Eye allergy

Chinese name: Eye allergy
Allergic symptoms: Itchy eyes, red eyes, and swollen eyelids

Types of: Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
Medication: double effect

Symptoms of an eye allergy may include itchy eyes, red eyes, swelling of the eyelids, and tearing. Some will have a stuffy nose.

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) and perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC)

SAC is mainly associated with allergies to pollen. PAC is common in people who are allergic to dust mites or perennial and seasonal allergens. The difference between SAC and PAC is the duration of symptoms and the allergens associated with them. 'An accurate history can help identify related allergens'.

Symptoms of SAC usually start in childhood, and although they may weaken with age, they can last a lifetime. PAC usually begins in adulthood. Both can cause nasal congestion and asthma, but some people only have eye symptoms.

Although SAC and PAC are not serious, they can be irritating and affect quality of life.

The iconic symptom is itchy eyes. There may also be redness, tears, sticky discharge, burning sensation, and swelling of the eyelids.

An ophthalmologist makes a diagnosis based on symptoms, family history, and personal medical history. An accurate history can help identify related allergens. Your ophthalmologist may ask you for a skin or blood test to learn more about the severity and cause of your allergy.

Almost all people can develop eye allergies at any time. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is more likely to occur when the amount of pollen is high in spring and summer. People who are allergic to pet fur may experience allergic symptoms after touching cat or dog hair.

Avoiding allergens is the best way to treat eye allergies. Try to find allergens and avoid contact with allergens, symptoms will improve significantly.

1. Avoid heavy curtains, feet, and rugs at home and in the workplace. Choose synthetic fabrics.

2. Maintain good ventilation indoors (except when the wind is strong outside).

3. Maintaining bedding hygiene is essential. Wash the sheets with hot water to kill the dust mites. First soak in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes, then add detergent during the second wash.

4. If you experience allergies, reduce the amount of time you spend in front of the computer. Staring at the screen can irritate the eyes and may affect the quality and quantity of tears, making it easier for allergens to enter the eyes.

5. Wearing sunglasses can protect the eyes, because sunglasses can block allergens. Avoid direct upwinds.

6. Avoid cigarette smoke. Smoke can cause irritation and worsen allergies.

7. Wash your face frequently to remove allergens.

8. Wash your hair before going to bed at night. Pollen in the hair can contaminate pillows and expose people to allergens all night.

9. Remember that when engaged in outdoor activities, temperature, height, and population density all affect allergen concentrations.

10. If wearing contact lenses, bring moisturizing eye drops to flush out allergens. At the end of each day, wash your hands carefully, remove and rinse contact lenses.

Daily considerations

1. Eye flushing: When the affected eye has more secretions, the eyes can be flushed with normal saline. Wipe the secretions on the edge of the eyelid with a sterile cotton swab before rinsing. The temperature of the rinsing water should be close to room temperature to make the affected eye comfortable.

2. Pay attention to avoid light: rest in a dark room to avoid discomfort caused by strong light stimulation. If you need to go out, you can wear sunglasses to block the light.

3. Avoid infecting others: the washing utensils, handkerchiefs and other items used by patients should be disinfected, and households can use boiling disinfection method. Do not share wash towels and washbasins with others to avoid spreading them to others. Because the secretions of the eyes are highly contagious, it is best not to go out when there is a lot of secretions. Try not to go to public places such as swimming pools, theaters, shops, etc. to prevent infection.

4. Do not cover the affected eyes: Do not cover the affected eyes with dressings, hand towels, etc. Because the cover prevents the eye secretions from being discharged, at the same time it increases the local temperature and humidity of the eye, which is conducive to the reproduction of bacteria or viruses and aggravates the disease. Before each eye drop, the eye secretions must be cleaned to improve the efficacy.

5. Avoid rubbing the eyes by hand: acute conjunctivitis due to conjunctival hyperemia and itching. At this time, do not rub your eyes with your hands. Rubbing your eyes can easily cause the virus or bacteria in your hand to cause eyeballs and aggravate the infection.

6. Don't swim: If patients with acute conjunctivitis swim in the pool, they can not only infect bacteria and viruses to others, but also make their condition worse, because bacteria and viruses in the pool water can cause repeated infections. Swimming pools should be closed in areas where red eye outbreaks are endemic.

7. Rinse the eyes with tea: Conjunctivitis is mostly caused by bacteria or viruses. The tannic acid in tea has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, and has clear and clear effects.

An allergic reaction is an inflammatory reaction of the eye to normally harmless environmental substances (allergens). An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Many allergens (such as dust or pollen) are airborne particles.

Allergens most likely to cause eye allergies

Protein allergens can be divided into indoor / animal, outdoor, plant / food or injectable allergens.

Indoor / Animal: Dust mite, animal fur, cockroach, mold

Outdoor: grass, trees and weed pollen, mold spores

Plants / Food: fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, fish

Injections: snake venom, some therapeutic proteins

Substances that come into contact with the skin also often cause eyelid allergic reactions, the same as contact dermatitis. Eyelid allergies often cause skin rashes or swelling and inflammation around the eyes. Such allergens include preservatives, metals, nail polish and cosmetics, drugs and eye drops. Allergy sensitivity may increase as air pollutants increase.

The first step in treating eye allergies is to avoid contact with allergens. Non-drug treatments include artificial tears, eyelid cleansers to clean allergens, and cold compresses to reduce swelling and congestion.

When suffering from VKC and AKC, pay attention to the course of disease and possible complications. Wear sunglasses, hooded hats, and goggles to avoid non-specific triggers such as the sun, wind, and seawater. Wash your hands and face frequently.

Artificial tears are especially helpful for AKC and contact eyelid conjunctivitis, which can remove allergens. Eyelid cleansers can prevent infectious blepharitis and improve meibomian gland function and tear film quality.

Your ophthalmologist will prescribe eyelid detergent or eye drops depending on the type of allergies in your eyes, and will advise you to temporarily or permanently stop wearing contact lenses depending on your condition.

Allergy mechanism and drug action mechanism

Dual role

Antihistamine

Antihistamine / vasoconstrictor

Mast cell stabilizer to prevent relapse

Moderate allergic conjunctivitis

Dual action / antihistamine / mast cell stabilizer: Patanol

NSAIDs

VKC / AKC / GPC requires steroid treatment

Severe allergic conjunctivitis

Steroids: high-dose shock therapy, 5-7 days, continuous 7-10 days, or gradually reduce the dose / withdrawal after the symptoms have resolved

Dual effects combined with steroids to maintain efficacy, stop steroids as soon as possible after symptoms are controlled