A reaction to pollen, dander or other allergens may involve your eyes. This could result in symptoms such as redness, itching, irritation and watering. You may also experience light sensitivity and swollen lids. Conditions such as an eye infection or inflammation inside your eye may also cause these and other symptoms. Knowing about the possible causes for your symptoms will be helpful, as you discuss your condition with an eye doctor to determine necessary treatment.
Allergy Medications
Oral medications, such as antihistamines, will often help allergy-related eye symptoms. Your doctor may recommend that you take an oral allergy medication every day if you have seasonal allergies, or you may simply need to take the medication prior to exposure to pet dander or other environmental allergens. Mild allergy symptoms may respond well to over-the-counter medications, but you may require prescription-strength depending on the severity of your reaction.
Eyedrops for allergies will often provide fast relief for allergy symptoms. These drops also come in over-the-counter or prescription strength. Your doctor will help you determine what you need to keep your symptoms under control.
Non-Medication Treatments
Mild allergy symptoms will not typically result in permanent damage to your eyes, and you and your doctor may determine that you do not require medication for treatment. In such cases, you may need to use artificial tears, a non-medicated eyedrop that helps keep the surface of your eyes lubricated and comfortable. If you keep these drops in the refrigerator, when you instill the cool drops, this may provide temporary relief from itching and discomfort. As well, a cool, damp cloth on your eyelids may help with inflammation in your lids, and may help soothe pain or irritation around the eyes.
Other Conditions
Eye infections such as pink eye have similar symptoms to eye allergies. For example, you may experience redness, itching and tearing, just as you would with an allergic reaction involving your eyes. Allergy eyedrops or oral medications will not help these symptoms; you may need to treat the source of the infection. Your doctor may recommend an antibiotic eyedrop or steroid eyedrop, and these medications will typically help treat or reduce the severity of your condition. You may find, however, that artificial tears or cool compresses may offer some relief for eye infections, as well as allergy eye symptoms.
Considerations
Inform your doctor if you have signs of eye allergies or other eye conditions such as an infection. Your doctor will examine the surface of your eyes. Based on her findings, she will determine the cause for your symptoms and recommend treatment if necessary.
