Pataday Eye Drops: Best allergy eye drops for contact lens wearers
Spring is a beautiful, magical time for (almost) everyone. For those with allergies, it can also bring red, itchy eyes that make stepping outside feel like punishment. And it’s even worse for contact lens wearers. You have an itch you can’t scratch for fear of not only dislodging your eyeballs (no, that can't actually happen), but your contact lenses. Luckily, you don’t have to spend another allergy season trapped indoors like a vampire.
Pataday allergy eye drops are an antihistamine that treats eyes that become itchy and red due to allergies. The original prescription strength comes in a once-daily or twice-daily formula. But for those with severe allergies, the Pataday extra strength drops could become your new best friend.
What are Pataday eye drops?
Pataday eye drops are prescription-strength olopatadine allergy eye drops that customers can purchase without a prescription. The active ingredient is olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution (try saying that three times fast), which works by preventing the eye from releasing substances that cause itchiness. Pataday can offer relief from most major pesky allergens, including pet dander, pollen, grass, and ragweed.
The primary benefit of Pataday is the almost instant relief you'll feel from those dry, itchy eyes in minutes.
Pataday Extra Strength is the most potent formula, relieving allergies all day and all night - so you don't need to worry about eye bags from lack of sleep on top of everything else. It is the first 24-hour eye allergy relief drop available without a prescription.
Varieties of Pataday eye drops
There are three different products in the Pataday eye drops range:
Pataday Once-Daily Relief
This option is great for daily, long-lasting allergy relief. In fact, it provides up to 16 hours of pure itch-free bliss, so it’s great for someone who is going to have a long day or is unsure if they’ll be able to reapply later. The olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution for this product has a concentration of 0.2%.
Pataday Twice-Daily Relief
This product is applied twice daily and offers up to 8 itch-free hours. It might be your best choice if you want flexibility and are unsure how long you’ll be around your allergy triggers. The Twice-Daily formula is the only one that offers redness relief, which is pretty great. The olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution for this product has a concentration of 0.1%.
Pataday Extra Strength
This option will be your superhero when it comes to relieving those severe allergy symptoms. The formula is more viscous, which means it stays in the eye longer and can offer relief for up to 24 hours. Seriously, they're not kidding when they call this product extra strength. This formula's olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution has a concentration of 0.7%.
Step-by-step guide for using Pataday eye drops
Here is how to use Pataday eye drops:
- Wash your hands before starting (you just washed them an hour ago? Wash them again).
- Don't contaminate the Pataday dropper by allowing it to come into contact with any objects. Avoid having the eyedropper touch your eye, because ouch.
- Put drops in the eye according to the instructions for that particular formula.
- After putting a drop in your eye, close your eyes and apply gentle pressure to the corner of your eye. This will make sure the medication is absorbed and doesn’t leak out.
- Try not to rub your eyes.
Tips for contact lens wearers
Contact lens wearers who are using Pataday eye drops can follow the instructions above with a few tweaks:
- Contact lenses should be removed before using the daily allergy relief eye drops.
- Wait at least 10 minutes before putting contact lenses back in.
Also, you need to keep proper contact lens hygiene while using Pataday eye drops. That means keeping those fingers clean and keeping your precious contacts in a safe space with the container closed. These drops may be miracle workers for allergy relief, but they won’t fight off an eye infection caused by a dirty or improperly used contact lens.
Your allergy solution is here
So, are Pataday eye drops the best allergy itch relief eye drops for contact lens wearers? The best allergy eye drops are the ones that work for you, and it may take some trial and error to find those. However, Pataday is a strong option for most people.
Most importantly, the extra strength variation offers 24-hour relief, so you can go camping in the most pollen-filled fields or spend the weekend at your friend’s house with that extra furry cat and not have to worry once.
Of course, this is still a type of medication, so it’s important to remind you that you should always consult with an eye care professional before starting any new eye drop regimen.
Frequently asked questions:
Can Pataday drops be used while wearing contact lenses?
Yes, you can use all variations of Pataday eye drops with contacts. You just have to apply the eye drops without contacts and wait 10 minutes before inserting them.
How quickly do the different Pataday formulations provide relief from allergy symptoms?
All Pataday eye drop products promise relief in just a few minutes.
Are there any specific Pataday variations that work best with other allergy medications?
There are no guidelines regarding Pataday product variations and other allergy medications. Talk to a doctor before combining any allergy medications.