JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 8, 2012) – An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from the miseries of allergies and about 50 percent of individuals with seasonal and indoor allergies also experience some degree of eye symptoms.
On the new edition of Healthy Vision™ with Dr. Val Jones, Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, a top authority on eye allergies, joins Dr. Val to talk about how to identify, treat, and manage eye symptoms from seasonal and indoor allergies.
Eye redness, itchiness, tearing, blurred vision or swelling of the eyelids due to allergies can impact performance at work, school and during sports and other recreational activities. However, according to Dr. Karpecki, there are a number of things you can do around the house, at the office, and even in your car to minimize or prevent these common symptoms from occurring. “Many patients tell me that their allergies are worse overnight and there are some things you can do before you get into bed that may help you feel better,” he says.
Women, in particular, note that eye allergy symptoms often make them look like they have been crying, and frequent rubbing of their eyes often causes their makeup to come off. “Mascara tends to be sticky and can attract a lot of pollen and other allergens that are in the air,” explains Dr. Karpecki. He offers tips for women who wear makeup and also discusses options that may help alleviate the discomfort that often leads to itching or rubbing of the eyes.
Approximately 15 to 30 percent of people with allergies have adverse reactions to cats and dogs, according to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. Dr. Karpecki has some tips for allergy sufferers who own or visit a home with a pet. “If you’re allergic to a dog or cat, and you are going someplace with one of these pets, it is important that you take some preventative steps before you arrive, or you’re going to have a miserable time,” he cautions.
Healthy Vision™ with Dr. Val Jones is devoted to educating and improving the eye health of Americans. The program is supported by ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses and is hosted by Val Jones, M.D, CEO of Better Health, LLC, a network of popular health bloggers, and author of, “Dr. Val and the Voice of Reason,” which won The Best New Medical Blog award in 2007. Her new blog on eye health can be found at http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/healthy-vision.
Free podcasts of Healthy Vision™ with Dr. Val Jones can be found in the iTunes® Store (for best results, search for the show by its complete title. You will find it in LifeMinute.TV Health) and on BlogTalk Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com/healthyvision).
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Dr. Val Jones and Dr. Paul Karpecki are paid consultants for VISTAKON® Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
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For further information, contact:
Gary Esterow
VISTAKON® Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
(904) 629-6232
Gester1@its.jnj.com
Liz Mefford
Rpr Marketing Communications
(212) 317-1462
Liz.Mefford@rprmc.com