You may also be wondering, “Are allergy eye drops safe with contacts?”
Medicated eye drops can also provide much-needed relief as long as you use them as directed.
Even choosing a different bang out of contact lens can help.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
One of the most widely used OTC drops isketotifen, sold under such brand names as Zaditor and Alaway.
Lastacaft (alcaftadine) is also an effective OTC antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizing eye drop.
Histamine is the substance responsible for triggering allergy symptoms in the eyes, nose, and skin.
Antihistamine eye drops are generally safe to use with both hard and soft contact lenses.
Naphcon-A and Opcon-A (naphazoline/pheniramine) are also available OTC.
These decongestant drops should be kept out of reach of children due to risk for serious adverse effects.
Be sure to follow the prescribing information on the packet insert.
Do not overuse or keep drops past their expiration date.
For those whose vision is not sufficiently improved with soft lenses, gas-permeable lenses are a good alternative.
Rewetting drops can also help and are safe to place directly into the eye.
You may have an eye infection or be experiencing a reaction to medication.
Certain eye disorders can lead to permanent vision loss if not addressed soon enough.
Summary
Eye drops formulated for allergies are available OTC as well as by prescription.
People who wear contacts can use these drops to help relieve allergy symptoms.
Choosing a different punch in ofcontact lens, such as single-use soft lenses, may reduce allergy symptoms.
Urgacz A, Mrukwa E, Gawlik R.Adverse events in allergy sufferers wearing contact lenses.
“Postepy Dermatol Alergol.2015; 32(3):204-9.
Wolffsohn, J. and Emberlin, J.
“Role of contact lenses in relieving ocular allergy.
“Cont Lens Anterior Eye.2011;3 4(4):169-72.
