Eye
allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, affect millions of
Americans. As much as 22 percent of the population has eye allergies.
Itching is the primary symptom of eye allergies. Other
symptoms may include redness, tearing, burning, blurred vision, a
scratchy feeling in the eye, swelling or redness of the inner eyelids,
sensitivity to light, and a sensation that something is in the eye.
Eye allergies can occur alone, or they may accompany nasal
allergy symptoms, such as runny, itchy nose, nasal congestion or
headache.
Almost three-quarters (73 percent) of allergy patients who take medication also suffer from allergy eyes.
As with other allergic conditions, eye allergies develop
when the body's immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to
something that is ordinarily harmless. The reaction occurs whenever the
offending allergen, which is often airborne, comes into contact with
the eyes.
Allergens present indoors or outdoors can cause eye allergies.
The most common outdoor airborne allergens are grass, tree
and weed pollens. People who are sensitive to these allergens suffer
from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, the most common type of eye
allergy.
Pet hair or dander, dust mites and molds are the most
common indoor allergens. Indoor allergens can trigger symptoms
year-round, resulting in perennial allergic conjunctivitis.
Prevention or avoidance of the allergens that trigger
symptoms should be the first step for successful management of eye
allergies. Treatment options include cold compresses, tear substitutes,
and eye drops and oral medications, which are available
over-the-counter and by prescription.
Allergy shots or immunotherapy is another option for
relieving eye allergies if avoidance, oral medication and eye drops do
not control symptoms.
Over-the-counter eye drops containing topical
decongestants or vasoconstrictors should not be used for more than a
few days. Prolonged use of the drops can lead to increased swelling and
redness that may last even after discontinuing the drops. This is
called a "rebound effect."
Newer prescription eye drops provide both short- and
long-term targeted relief of eye allergy symptoms, and they can be used
to manage eye allergy symptoms in conjunction with an oral
antihistamine that might be taken to manage nasal allergy symptoms.
