Dry Eyes Sensitivity
The most predominant environmental irritant, as far as the eyes are concerned, is pollen. Though the common perception is that pollen is a byproduct of flowers in bloom, most air-borne pollens are exuded by a combination of trees, weeds, and grasses. To combat either itchy, watery eyes, or excessively dry eyes sensitivity to one’s environment is key.
The use of HEPA air purifier can effectively filter indoor air, but the average cost of a filtering system can range between $80 and $120, depending on the size. Additionally, to keep any home pollen free, a HEPA air purifier should be placed in each room, further compounding costs by factoring in the price of electricity. Additionally, these purifiers are not portable and only render relief if one spends a great deal of time at home.
A common side effect of seasonal allergies is persistent itchy or watery eyes. This is a histamine reaction to the presence of foreign particles either in the nose or the eyes (or both). The lachrymal glands secrete more tears in an effort to flush the eyes clean of the pollen, but the prevalence of the pollen makes this a losing battle, When you compound this with contact lenses – which trap these pollen particle between the lens itself and the cornea and conjunctiva, the eyes can become incredibly swollen and painful.
Using an anti-histamine or histamine blocker will stop the lachrymal glands from over-producing tears, but this could engender a dry eye response. This will then make blinking uncomfortable and could exacerbate discomfort, especially if contact lenses are being worn. Consequently, the optimal solution is an amalgamation of using histamine blockers to address allergic reactions to pollen and hydrating solutions to facilitate contact lenses.
The most effective hydrating solutions mimic the chemical composition of tears, suing saline as a primary component. A few drops in both eyes can alleviate the discomfort associated with dry eye syndrome by coasting both the cornea and the sclera. Minimizing environmental irritants should not come at the cost of the convenience of contact lenses.