In an effort to improve contact lens safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added new information on its website about the proper use of contact lens solutions.

The new FDA Web page contains a number of dos and don’ts for contact lens wearers, and emphasizes the need to rinse and empty contact lens storage cases after each use. Failure to do so increases the risk of eye infections — including bacterial and fungal eye infections that can cause permanent vision loss.

The FDA also has developed a new video on contact lens safety, which explains the components of proper contact lens care. The video and new Web page stress that for superior lens cleaning and to lower the risk of eye infections, consumers should use a rub-and-rinse cleaning method, even if they use “no-rub” multipurpose lens care products.

The new LensAlert Contact Lens Care Kit Value Wheel makes it easy to remember when your contact lenses and lens case need to be replaced.

With the LensAlert timer, you can set two separate countdowns for your contacts and case. The display flashes “0” when it’s time for a change. Seven, colorful lens cases are also included in the kit.

Following a replacement schedule is important to reduce your risk for eye infections. The replacement schedule for your contact lenses is specified by your eye doctor.

Typically cases should be replaced at least every three months, although some doctors recommend once a month. If used for too long, lens cases can become hotbeds for bacteria and fungi.

The kit can be purchased online or at optical stores and retail outlets.

If you wear contact lenses and suffer from seasonal allergies, you may be tempted to give up on your contacts. But there are a number of things you can do to decrease allergy symptoms and increase your contact lens comfort.

In a recent issue of Contact Lenses Today, Joel A. Silbert, OD, director of Cornea and Specialty Contact Lens Services at Pennsylvania College of Optometry (Salus University, Philadelphia, PA) offered several tips to help people with allergies stay in their contacts. Dr. Silbert recommends:

• Wear wraparound, close-fitting sunglasses to keep pollen and other allergens away from your eyes as much as possible.
• Wear daily disposable contacts. Because you discard these lenses after a single day of wear, you don’t have to worry about lens deposits building up on your contact lenses day after day.
• If you can’t wear disposable lenses, consider modifying your daily lens care and how you use contact lens solutions. If you use a “no-rub” multipurpose solution, for example, rub the lenses under a stream of the solution to more effectively clean the lenses. If you are sensitive to preservatives, consider switching to a hydrogen peroxide lens care system. 
• Avoid extended wear contacts. Wearing these lenses continually day after day can worsen your allergy symptoms.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes, which also will make your symptoms worse. Use cold compresses to relieve itching instead.
• Lubricate your contacts frequently with rewetting drops. Using eye drops frequently will rinse away allergens and keep them from accumulating on your lenses. 
• Drive with your windows closed and the air conditioner (AC) on. Many newer automobiles have AC filters that help trap pollen and other allergens.
• Avoid early-in-the-day outdoor activities when pollen levels are highest, and (if possible) leave the lawn mowing to someone else.

Depending on the severity of your allergies, prescription medications also may be needed to reduce allergy symptoms and improve your contact lens comfort, adds Dr. Silbert. See your ophthalmologist or optometrist for details about the best medical options for your particular needs.

Source:  Tips for Allergy Season. Contact Lenses Today e-newsletter. May 14, 2009.

A new survey by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found that allergy symptoms negatively influence contact lens wear, reports Optician Online.

Of the more than 800 people surveyed, two out of every three said wearing contacts is uncomfortable when they have allergy symptoms such as itchy, red and watery eyes. About 45 percent of the survey respondents reported wearing their contacts less often and 12 percent said they ceased wearing contacts when suffering from eye allergies.

Mike Tringale, the foundation’s director of external affairs, noted that wearing contacts less frequently “creates a wide range of emotions among allergy sufferers.” When contact lens wearers use glasses instead of contacts, 37 percent report feeling less attractive, 29 percent feel less confident and 26 percent say they are less able to perform activities as well than when they are wearing contacts.

According to the Medical Clinics of North America, nearly half of US residents have allergy symptoms, and 75 percent of those symptoms affect the eyes. Allergies can trigger pink eye and other problems. It’s recommended that allergy sufferers speak with their eye doctor about disposable contact lenses and eye drops to help relieve symptoms, which will ultimately help with contact lens comfort.