What are eye allergies?
Eye allergies are common and occur when your eyes react to certain irritants. As a result, cells in your eyes produce histamine to fight off the allergens and, as a result, unpleasant symptoms can develop. Unlike eye infections, eye allergy symptoms don’t spread from person to person.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
If you have allergies you might experience one or more of the following signs or symptoms:
- Red eyes
- Swollen eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Burning eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Stuffy or itchy nose
- Sneezing or coughing
- Headaches
- An itchy, sore throat
These and other symptoms of allergies can make your eyes feel uncomfortable or cause you to feel self-conscious.
What causes eye allergies?
The cause of eye allergies varies from person to person, as what you’re allergic to is highly individualized. Common eye allergens include:
- Pet dander
- Smoke
- Dust
- Perfumes
- Mold
- Smoke
- Pollen
If you have a pollen allergy, ragweed, trees, or grasses might trigger symptoms. You may also experience eye allergy reactions from preservative chemicals in some eye drops, certain foods, or insect stings.
What happens during an eye exam?
During an eye allergy appointment at Eyecare Professionals, your optometrist reviews your medical history and completes a routine eye exam.
This usually includes vision screening, an assessment of eye movement and focus, and an eye health evaluation to look for signs of allergies or eye diseases.
What is the treatment for eye allergies?
Your practitioner conducts specific tests to rule out or diagnose medical conditions responsible for your symptoms.
The Eyecare Professionals team lets you know if allergies are the culprit and discusses allergy treatment options that best match your needs.
Your optometrist may offer you preservative-free eye drops to relieve symptoms and restore your quality of life. Other solutions that help reduce your risk of eye allergy symptoms include taking oral allergy medications and avoiding substances you’re allergic to.
Your optometrist may refer you to an allergist, who conducts specific tests to determine which allergens are responsible for your symptoms.
Don’t live with red, itchy, watery eyes when simple treatment options are available at Eyecare Professionals. Schedule an appointment by phone or online today.
