Scleral lenses offer unique barriers against allergens for those suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. By keeping your eyes hydrated and protected, our expert doctors here at Specialty Vision can help find the perfect fit for your needs.
Scleral lenses are specialized, gas-permeable devices designed to vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of your eye, offering a protective barrier against environmental allergens. They are particularly beneficial for patients suffering from allergic conjunctivitis, a condition characterized by itchy, red, and watery eyes caused by allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander. These lenses not only promote hydration through a naturally formed reservoir but also serve as an effective shield to minimize direct irritant contact, ensuring your eyes stay comfortable during allergy season.
Unlike standard soft lenses, scleral lenses boast a distinctive design that sets them apart. Their large, gas-permeable structure vaults over the corneal surface and rests on the sclera, creating minimal tear-exchange between the eye and the external environment. This chamber is filled with a sterile, preservative-free saline solution, which offers continuous hydration and cushioning for your sensitive ocular surface. Here’s the thing: this design not only ensures a comfortable fit but also acts as a robust barrier against allergens that could otherwise trigger inflammation.
By covering the eye’s surface, scleral lenses physically block many airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander from making direct contact with the cornea. This protective layer significantly reduces the allergic response that can lead to discomfort and inflammation.
One of the standout benefits of scleral lenses is the creation of a protective tear-film reservoir. This reservoir is not just a byproduct of the lens design, it plays a crucial role in managing the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. By holding a layer of preservative-free saline solution against the eye, this fluid chamber continuously hydrates the cornea, neutralizes tear-film hyperosmolarity (a contributor to inflammation), and acts as a buffer against allergens.
This hydration layer is especially valuable during allergy season, when the eyes are more vulnerable to dryness and irritation. The steady presence of moisture not only alleviates the discomfort caused by dry eyes but also aids in reducing the overall inflammatory response. In effect, the tear-film reservoir ensures that your eyes remain both comfortable and protected, even when exposed to airborne allergens.
The lens’s ability to maintain a constant, smooth interface minimizes optical distortions. This means that even when allergens are present in the environment, you experience clearer and more stable vision throughout the day.
Since each scleral lens is individually designed, the fit is precise, promoting both comfort and optimal performance. This tailored approach also helps in reducing mechanical irritation that might occur with a loose or poorly-fitted lens.
Use approved cleaning solutions daily to remove any debris, proteins, or allergen buildup that could compromise lens performance. Regular cleaning not only maintains clarity but also extends the life of your lenses.
When dryness persists, preservative-free artificial tears can help maintain the hydration within the tear-film reservoir, ensuring continuous comfort.
Before inserting your lenses, rinse the inside of your lens with a sterile saline solution. This helps remove any residual allergens and prepares your eyes for the protective benefits of the lenses.
On days when pollen counts are high, try to limit your time outside. If you must go outdoors, consider wearing sunglasses under your scleral lenses to further reduce allergen contact.
Use air purifiers or ensure proper ventilation indoors, especially during peak allergy seasons, to reduce the concentration of airborne irritants.
Over time, debris from a mix of tear-film debris, lipids, mucins, inflammatory cells (e.g., leukocytes) may accumulate in the tear reservoir, leading to intermittent blurring of vision known as midday fogging. This may require additional cleaning or lens adjustments during the day.
Take control of your eye comfort this allergy season by consulting with our experienced eye doctors. They specialize in fitting scleral lenses tailored to your needs, ensuring optimal protection and hydration for your eyes. Schedule your appointment today and experience relief from allergic conjunctivitis!
Allergic reactions can lead to an increase in mucus and protein deposits on the lens surface, which can reduce lens wettability and, ultimately, comfort. Regular maintenance and using the correct cleaning solutions can help mitigate this issue.
In some cases, poor haptic alignment or inadequate fit can result in mechanical irritation to the tarsal conjunctiva, leading to a condition known as papillary conjunctivitis. This underlines the importance of a precise and tailored lens fitting session with our eye doctors.
Some patients may react to preservatives found in multipurpose solutions or medication drops. Always using preservative-free solutions can help prevent inflammatory responses associated with these chemicals.
For many people, monthly or two-week soft contact lenses do a great job correcting vision and are comfortable for everyday wear. But during allergy season, they can sometimes make things a little harder for your eyes. Because these lenses are worn over multiple days or weeks, they tend to collect tiny particles from the air, like pollen, dust, and even proteins from your own tears. Over time, that buildup can cause irritation, redness, and itchiness, especially for those who are already prone to eye allergies.
One helpful option for mild to moderate allergy sufferers is switching to daily disposable contacts. These lenses are designed to be thrown away at the end of each day, which means you’re starting fresh every morning, no lingering allergens sticking around from the day before. In fact, studies have shown that people who move from reusable lenses to dailies often experience less itching, burning, and eye redness overall.
That said, even daily disposables can trap airborne allergens between blinks, so they’re often insufficient for moderate-to-severe allergic conjunctivitis.. If allergies are particularly severe or persistent, some people may find they still struggle with symptoms, even with fresh lenses each day.
Scleral lenses, with their unique design, help alleviate these issues by providing a consistent, protective barrier. This is particularly important for individuals who experience discomfort due to allergens sticking to the lens surface. By continuously maintaining a fluid cushion between the lens and your eye, it becomes much easier to keep allergens at bay, leading to improved overall comfort.
For those facing persistent issues with traditional lenses during allergy season, the switch to scleral lenses can not only enhance vision quality but also significantly reduce the discomfort and irritation that come from allergen accumulation. With a higher level of customization and a reduced tear exchange, these lenses create an environment that is far less conducive to irritation, allowing your eyes to remain calm and hydrated.
Choosing the right lens can be a significant step towards comfort during allergy season. Our eye doctors are highly skilled in the fitting and evaluation of scleral lenses, ensuring that each patient receives a solution that is uniquely suited to their needs. They perform comprehensive assessments, including corneal mapping and visual acuity tests, to determine the best approach in creating a barrier that meets both visual and comfort goals.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis or have noticed that your current lenses are aggravating your allergy symptoms, consider consulting with our eye doctors. They can offer advice on whether scleral lenses might be the right choice for you. Whether it’s reducing irritation, stabilizing your vision, or protecting your eyes from airborne allergens, our team is dedicated to finding the best solution for your eye care needs.
Take control of your eye comfort this allergy season by consulting with our experienced eye doctors. They specialize in fitting scleral lenses tailored to your needs, ensuring optimal protection and hydration for your eyes. Schedule your appointment today and experience relief from allergic conjunctivitis!
Discover how scleral lenses can provide relief from allergic conjunctivitis by shielding eyes from environmental irritants.
