Symptoms & Treatment of Eye Allergy

Eye allergies will include red, itchy, and watery eyes.  These are caused by certain allergens and these can also cause sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose.  These allergies can happen seasonally affecting people who are most prone to these allergies. Eye allergies can increase depending on the environment, pollution and industrialization.   The more allergens the higher the sensitivity to these amongst those who are prone to allergies. Most allergy sufferers also experience itchy and watery eyes, and swollen eyelids – in some cases even eye infections and conjunctivitis. If you feel like you may have an eye allergy, here are a few things to take note of.

What Causes These Allergies?

Eye allergies can be caused by normally harmless substances called allergens.  Some individuals react to these substances and are thus allergic to them. The most common airborne allergens are pollen, mould, dust, pet dander, and smoke. Your eye specialist will also state that allergies can be caused by reactions to certain cosmetics, food, and eye drops that contain preservatives along with insect bites and bee stings. 

How to get relief from your eye allergy?

To get relief from your allergy you can either visit your eye doctor in Kemps Corner, Mumbai or take a few approaches.

• AVOID ALLERGENS 

If you know what allergens you are allergic to, try avoiding or limiting your exposure to them. For example, when the pollen count is high try to stay indoors as far as possible, keep your surroundings clean and use a high-quality cleaner that gets rid of bacteria, mould, and other dust particles. Ensure when you go out you wear a mask and shield your eyes from pollen, ragweed, and more.

• REMOVE YOUR CONTACTS

Because the surface of contact lenses, can attract airborne allergens like dust, dirt, and grime and this can increase your allergy, try wearing disposable contacts that you can discard after a single use to prevent dust or other bacteria from settling on them. Your ophthalmologist in Kemps Corner will recommend certain contacts for you to use to minimize your risk of allergy.  

• OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION

Due to eye allergies being so common, there are a number of brands that provide non-prescription eye drop specially formulated to relieve itchiness, redness, and watery eyes caused by allergies. If your eye symptoms are mild, then these eye drops may work wonders for you. They also may be less expensive than other medications. However, if the allergy symptoms are worse or bad then you may need stronger medication like antihistamines, decongestants, mast cell stabilizers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you do have allergies, then look after your eyes and keep them clean as well as avoid allergens as much as you can. Your ophthalmologist will be able to give you drops or medications to relieve eye allergy symptoms and give you relief in the long run. Always call your doctor right away if the allergy gets worse or if you experience a high level of discomfort in your eyes.