Springtime brings sunshine, flowers, and—for many—itchy, watery, irritated eyes. For contact lens wearers, allergy season can turn daily lens wear into a frustrating struggle. But there’s good news: if you suffer from seasonal allergies and rely on contacts, scleral lenses might be your new best friend.
At Manhattan Vision Associates, we’ve helped many patients in New York City find relief from allergy-related eye issues with the help of scleral lenses. Here’s why these specialty lenses can make such a big difference when pollen counts soar.
What Makes Scleral Lenses Different?
Unlike standard soft lenses, scleral lenses are large, gas-permeable lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of your eye (the sclera). This creates a protective reservoir of sterile fluid between the lens and your eye, keeping the surface hydrated and shielded from allergens.
This design offers two major benefits during allergy season:
- Barrier Protection: Scleral lenses act as a physical barrier, blocking allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander from directly irritating the cornea.
- Hydration & Comfort: The fluid layer beneath the lens keeps the eye moist, reducing dryness and discomfort that allergies often worsen.
Common Allergy Complaints from Contact Lens Wearers
If you wear regular contacts during allergy season, you’ve probably experienced:
- Red, itchy eyes
- Dryness or burning sensation
- Blurry vision
- Discomfort during longer wear
- A gritty or “foreign body” sensation
Allergens can stick to soft lenses or become trapped beneath them, worsening symptoms and making it harder to keep your lenses clean and comfortable.
How Scleral Lenses Help During Allergy Season
Scleral lenses offer several advantages for allergy sufferers:
Reduced Irritation
By shielding your eyes from environmental allergens, scleral lenses help minimize the immune response that causes itching, redness, and watering.
Stable, Clear Vision
Because they cover more of the eye and maintain a consistent surface, scleral lenses provide sharper, more stable vision—even when allergens are swirling around outside.
Improved Comfort
The fluid reservoir helps combat dryness and prevents lenses from rubbing against inflamed or sensitive corneal tissue.
Custom Fit
Scleral lenses are individually designed for your eyes, ensuring a precise fit that enhances comfort and performance.
Tips for Scleral Lens Wearers During Allergy Season
To get the most out of your scleral lenses when allergies are high, follow these simple tips:
- Clean your lenses thoroughly each day with approved solutions
- Use preservative-free artificial tears if recommended by your eye doctor
- Rinse your eyes with sterile saline before inserting lenses
- Minimize outdoor exposure during high-pollen days
- Use air purifiers indoors to reduce airborne allergens
And of course, keep up with your routine follow-ups at Manhattan Vision Associates to ensure your lenses are performing well and your eyes are staying healthy.
Ready for Relief? Let’s Talk Scleral Lenses at Manhattan Vision Associates
If springtime turns your contact lens routine into a battle with allergies, it might be time to explore a better option. At Manhattan Vision Associates, we specialize in custom-fitting scleral lenses for patients in New York City—especially those with dry eyes, keratoconus, or chronic irritation from allergies.
Book a consultation with our team and find out if scleral lenses are the right solution for your springtime struggles. Clear, comfortable vision could be just one fitting away.