Contact lens care during monsoons: Tips to prevent allergies and eye problems caused by contact lenses

Monsoon season is a time of the year when ocular allergies are on a rise due to increase in pollen, which is known to trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Moist and humid environment is an ideal breeding ground for mold and fungi which can again increase allergic reactions in eyes

Dr. Neha Kapur, Senior Consultant - Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Incharge - Department of Optometry, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Daryaganj says, “Contact lens users need to be especially careful during this time of the year. It is advisable that people thoroughly wash hands before using contact lenses and use suitable contact lens solution to disinfect or store the contact lenses.

“Replacement schedule for the contact lenses to be followed should be disposable. It should be daily or weekly disposal or at best, it should be bi-monthly disposal. It is best not to increase the time frequency of replacement longer than that. The contact lens case should also be always kept clean. It can be replaced at a periodic interval, in three months,” says Dr. Kapur.

It is important that one must avoid rainwater or swimming pool exposure with contact lenses as lenses can absorb the water, which can trap potential bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens against which are dangerous for your eye.

The other important thing that happens is because of the allergic reaction and use there is a tendency to rub the eyes frequently, especially when wearing contact lenses that should be reduced or avoided.

According to Dr. Kapur, "If the doctor finds an allergic eye disease, they may recommend to not use contact lenses for about a period of week to 10 days until the allergic reaction subsides and following that you can restart the wear of contact lenses."