Spring Ahead

With the main seasonal allergy season approaching, it's time to think ahead. Our modern anti-histamine, mast cell stabilizing medications work better after being used for 3-4 weeks. I have my contact lens wearing allergy sufferers start those meds in mid-March, 3 to 4 weeks prior to the start of the spring pollen season, which generally begins mid-April in Nebraska. Mast cells will be better stabilized by that time.

I especially like the once-a-day dosing formulations as they can be instilled prior to contact lens insertion, not affecting the routine of my patients.

I emphasize to my patients that they will get little symptomatic relief now but that we're getting the eyes ready for later. I sometimes write the prescription in December, January or February with instructions to start the dose on March 15th. This, in addition to dedicating February as my personal allergy education month, gets both me and my contact lens patients ready for the itchy times ahead.

Mark Greenwell, OD
Papillion, Nebraska