Spring brings flowers and a few sunny days, but for allergy sufferers, the season may also bring the start of allergy symptoms. Pollen and other allergens may cause sneezing and sinus problems, as well as allergic reactions in the eye. Knowing how to prevent and treat these eye symptoms may offer relief to allergy sufferers.
Symptoms
Allergies may cause one or both eyes to feel itchy, dry and irritated and red, says the American College of Allergy, Allergy & Immunology. As the eyes react to pollen or other allergens, the eyelids may swell. Eye irritation and swollen eyelids may also cause vision to blur.
Diagnosis
An eye doctor should examine red, irritated eyes, especially if symptoms do not improve within a few days. The doctor will use a slit lamp, a special microscope designed for the eyes, to examine the front surface of the eye. In most cases, the doctor will not require eye dilation. However, the doctor may need to dilate the pupils and examine the back of the eye if he suspects another eye condition may be responsible for the symptoms.
Treatment
Eye doctors often prescribe a prescription allergy drop to alleviate eye symptoms. He may also recommend trying an over-the-counter drop for allergies since many of these drops may offer relief with a lower cost. For some patients, taking an oral allergy medication alone or in combination with an eye drop may relieve eye and sinus allergy symptoms, says the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center.
Prevention
Washing hands after coming in contact with pollen or animals may help prevent allergy flare-ups. If allergy sufferers know what causes their symptoms, they may have an easier time preventing allergy symptoms. Some patients have severe allergy symptoms and see an allergy specialist to determine what environmental factors cause their symptoms. Once the allergist knows the specific sources, she can create a patient-specific medication, usually an injection, to alleviate allergy symptoms.
Considerations
Some eye infections have similar symptoms as eye allergies, so anytime new eye symptoms appear, the eyes need to be examined by an eye doctor. Doctors treat eye infections with antibiotic eye drops, and distinguishing the cause for the eye condition will determine the type of treatment necessary.
