Contact lenses and associated anterior segment disorders: dry eye, blepharitis, and allergy

Contact lenses should be used with caution in patients who have an ocular allergy. Patients who have seasonal allergy should avoid contact lens use during seasonal flare-ups. The need for clean lenses with minimal deposit buildup must be stressed, and the use of daily wear lenses with rigid disinfecting and cleaning techniques is recommended. Alternatively, daily disposable lenses should be used. The patient should avoid the use of topical anti-allergy agents while the lenses are in place, particularly vasoconstrictor agents. Extended wear contact lenses are contraindicated in patients who have ocular allergy. In general, the use of contact lenses is contraindicated in patients with vernal conjunctivitis. With careful attention to recognizing the patient with ocular allergy, regular monitoring, and patient compliance to lens care, successful contact lens wear can be achieved in most patients with ocular allergy.