Eye Related Symptoms Bring More Than Tears to Allergy Sufferers, New Surv...( Free Eye Health & Allergies bro...),Health

Free "Eye Health & Allergies" brochure available from Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Many allergy sufferers say symptoms such as itchy, dry, red and watery eyes leave them frustrated and irritable, tired, and distracted, according to a new survey conducted by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). About 40 percent of women allergy sufferers surveyed say their red and puffy eyes make them look tired and unattractive.

Among those who wear contact lenses, other problems arise. When their allergies act up, half (50%) say they switch to glasses, while 45 percent report that they wear their contacts less often. For some, not being able to wear their contacts affects how they feel about themselves and impacts their performance at work, school, and when playing sports.

"Having to stop wearing their contacts or wear them less frequently creates a wide range of emotions among allergy sufferers," says Mike Tringale, Director of External Affairs, AAFA, the leading patient advocacy organization for people with asthma and allergies. "Contact lens wearers say they feel less attractive when wearing their glasses (37%), unhappy (35%), less confident without their contacts (29%), and less able to perform activities as well as when they are wearing their contact lenses (26%)."

More than 800 people responded to the online survey about eyes and allergies, conducted by AAFA, and supported by 1-DAY ACUVUE(R) MOIST(R) Brand Contact Lenses. One-third (33%) identified themselves as contact lens wearers, while 12 percent admit to having dropped out of contacts because of allergies.

The majority of contact lens wearing respondents report that they replace their lenses monthly (45%) or every one to two weeks (38%). Paul Karpecki, O.D., F.A.A.O., Clinical Director, Kofler Vision Group, Lexington, Kentucky says he is not surpr
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