Spring is Eye Allergy Season
If you are experiencing red eyes, itchy eyes or watery eyes it could be due to pollen-induced eye allergies. For some of us, spring is pollen season, marking the onset of uncomfortable symptoms such as red eyes, itchy eyes, stinging, burning and watery eyes. Springtime eye allergies are often a result of an influx of tree and flower pollen into the atmosphere and can cause a severe impact on quality of life for those that suffer from them.
How can you defend your eyes during pollen season? If at all feasible, try to limit contact with allergens by staying inside, in particular on days with a high pollen count. Closing windows, cooling off with air conditioning and wearing full-coverage sunglasses when going outside can also help to limit contact with irritants in the air. A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can be used clear irritants from the air when you are inside.
Since most of us must leave the house on occasion, there are medications that can alleviate symptoms such as red eyes, watery eyes or itchy eyes. It's possible that a simple lubricating eye drop is enough to soothe and relieve itchy eyes or red eyes and flush out irritants. Products containing antihistamines, decongestants or mast cell stabilizers will reduce inflammation of the eyes and treat non-eye related symptoms such as stuffed or runny nose and sneezing. Drops are sometimes recommended because they can work more quickly and effectively than oral solutions to treat eye problems.
About 20% of Americans suffer from allergies, almost half of which are allergic eye disease. Eye allergies often run in families and are the result of a hyper-sensitivity to an irritant in the eye even when it is not necessarily harmful. The eye releases histamines and other immune mediators which cause excessive tears, itching, burning, redness and irritation.
One of the most important things to remember is, don’t rub red, itchy eyes. Doing so will just worsen the irritation. Because some of the products that work to alleviate symptoms do need a prescription, if over-the-counter options do not help, book an appointment with your eye doctor.
