Look And Feel Great This Spring, Despite Allergy Symptoms

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- During allergy season, many women find themselves reaching for tissues and wondering why they even bothered putting on eye makeup in the morning.

According to nationally-recognized beauty expert Polly Blitzer, women often report that eye allergy symptoms like red, puffy eyes make them look exhausted or like they have been crying. Itchy eyes can also lead to frequent rubbing of the eyes, which can cause makeup to smudge. "As a result, many women say they feel tired and unattractive during allergy season. That's at least three months per year of potential misery!" says Blitzer. "Additionally, many contact lens wearers with eye allergies say that their allergy symptoms make them feel 'uncomfortable' when wearing their contacts and cause disruption to their beauty routines."

Noted educator, author and optometrist Dr. Paul Karpecki agrees. "Allergy season is particularly challenging for some contact lens wearers because allergens and other irritants can build up on contacts over time, leading to discomfort and symptoms such as itching, tearing and redness," he adds.

While approximately one in three individuals is affected by seasonal eye allergies[i], allergy season doesn't necessarily mean that your beauty routine needs to get ugly. To help you look and feel in "full bloom" (even when the pollen is as well), try these health and beauty tips from Dr. Karpecki and Polly Blitzer.

Feel Your Best

• For allergy sufferers who want to wear or remain in contacts, Dr. Karpecki recommends daily disposable lenses such as 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST^® Brand Contact Lenses.** "Studies have shown that daily disposable contacts can be a healthy and more comfortable option for many people, including those with eye allergies," he says. "Putting in a clean, fresh lens every day minimizes the potential for accumulation of allergens and irritants that can often build up with repeated use of the same pair of lenses."
• Dr. Karpecki also recommends being cautious with allergy pills that claim to ease allergy symptoms. "Quite frequently, allergy medication can dry the eyes. If you must take an allergy pill, I generally recommend you take it at night so the drying effect is not as dramatic. Talk to your doctor about what medication(s) are best for you," he says.
• Use transient-preserved or preservative-free artificial tears. "People who suffer from eye allergy symptoms may also find that the preservatives in artificial tears can cause discomfort," says Karpecki. He also recommends using allergy drops, which are prescribed by a doctor. "I tell my patients to put the drops in each eye in the morning before inserting contact lenses and then put a drop in at night after they remove their lenses," he says.
• Talk to your Eye Care Professional about any questions or concerns you have regarding eye health or the proper wear and care of your contact lenses. He or she can work with you to determine the appropriate lens and replacement frequency for you, as well as other solutions to eye related problems.

Look Your Best

• "Put in your contact lenses before applying any makeup," says Blitzer. "This will help prevent makeup residue from getting on your lenses, so you'll avoid eye irritation from makeup particles."
• Blitzer also suggests using a cold compress to ease redness, puffiness and dark circles – but better yet, try cold sliced fresh potatoes underneath your eyes -- the enzyme catecholase (or catechol oxidase) helps diminish dark circles.                        
• To offset bloodshot eyes, Blitzer recommends using bluish eyeliner on your inner rims. "Cobalt and emerald eye liner were everywhere at the spring 2013 runway shows, such as Christian Dior and Anna Sui," she says. "You can also use light, shimmery champagne-colored shadow -- instead of dark smoky eye makeup -- to draw in light and brighten your eyes."
• Blitzer recommends relying on waterproof formulas for mascara and eyeliner, as allergy-sufferers are often prone to watery, teary eyes, which can cause the "raccoon" effect. In case you are tearing up, an oil-absorbing sheet can be used to blot into lower lashes, and remove hints of oil and waxiness.

To help allergy sufferers better understand and manage their condition, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) offers a free educational brochure titled "Eye Health and Allergies." The brochure, which also includes smart allergy season strategies for contact lens wearers, can be viewed or downloaded at www.aafa.org/eyeallergies.  The brochure, along with a free trial-pair certificate* for 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST^® Brand Contact Lenses is also available at www.acuvue.com/seasons.

*Professional exam and fitting fees not included

Important information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE^® Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide, call 1-800-843-2020 or visit www.Acuvue.com.

**Clinical research has shown when worn on a daily disposable basis, 1-DAY ACUVUE^® Brand Contact Lenses and other daily disposable etafilcon A contact lenses such as 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST^® Brand Contact Lenses and 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST^® Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM may provide improved comfort for many patients suffering from mild discomfort and/or itching associated with allergies during contact lens wear compared to lenses replaced at intervals of greater than 2 weeks.

ACUVUE^®, 1-DAY ACUVUE^® MOIST^®, and VISTAKON^® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

Dr. Paul Karpecki and Polly Blitzer are paid consultants for VISTAKON^® Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

[i] Rosario N, Bielory L. Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011: Oct; 11(5): 471-6.

SOURCE VISTAKON(R), Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.