Find Relief from Eye Allergies

Eye allergies occur when the conjunctiva, or the clear membrane that covers the white of the eye, comes in contact with a substance that causes an allergic reaction (an allergen). There are two main types of eye allergies: seasonal and perennial. Seasonal allergens usually affect sufferers when pollen, weeds, trees, and other plants flourish at certain times of the year. The severity of seasonal allergies will depend on both the season and the amount of time spent outside. Those with year-round allergies typically develop reactions to indoor allergens. This can include mold, pet dander, and dust mites. For both types of allergies, irritants like dust, smoke, chlorine, and certain chemicals can trigger or worsen eye allergy symptoms.

Ocular allergy symptoms often involve eyes that:

Your ophthalmologist can usually identify eye allergies based on your symptoms alone, without the need for any specialized tests. However, eye allergies and infections often produce similar symptoms, so a standard eye exam will typically be needed to rule out an infection. A small microscope called a slit lamp will be used to check for eye allergy symptoms like dilated blood vessels and swelling. Your doctor may also check your eyes for eosinophils, or the presence of white blood cells that accumulate at the site of an allergic reaction.

The first step in treating allergies is identifying the trigger for your symptoms. Once you isolate the cause of your discomfort, you can take some simple precautions to reduce the incidence and severity of your reaction:

In addition to behavioral changes, there are also a variety of drops and ointments that offer relief from eye allergies. Allergies may be controlled with non-prescription remedies, like artificial tears, decongestant eye drops, or a cold compress. For severe eye allergies, your doctor may prescribe specialized eye drops, or topical ophthalmic corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.