Eye Allergies
Do you have itchy, watery eyes? Do you suffer from allergies? These could be signs of having eye allergies.
The good news is that the team at North Valley Eye Care is here to help treat your eye allergies and get you the relief that you need.
What Are Eye Allergies?
Eye allergies are reactions to an irritant (allergen) that has come into contact with the eyes. The body releases an organic compound called histamine, which triggers certain reactions intended to fight off or flush out the allergen.
Although allergic reactions are an essential function of the immune system, the body may become overly sensitive to different substances and initiate a response when unnecessary or to a greater degree than needed. These responses can cause discomfort with symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, redness, burning, or swollen eyelids.
You may also experience uncomfortable symptoms like sensitivity to light or grittiness in the eye. Potential allergens can take various forms. These symptoms get worse with rubbing the eyes. People can experience eye allergies when exposed to plant pollen, pet dander, mold, dust, or smoke in the air. Chemicals, including those found in makeup or some lubricating eyedrops, also affect certain people.
Many of the same allergens that cause eye allergies can cause reactions in other parts of the body, such as the skin or nasal passages. When that happens, eye allergies can occur alongside these other allergies. Potential allergens affect people differently, and eye allergies are no exception. It is essential, therefore, to fully determine the underlying allergen possible to craft an effective treatment plan. The best way to do this is to talk to your eye doctor at North Valley Eye Care about your symptoms.
Symptoms of Having Eye Allergies
Eye allergies can cause symptoms that are too familiar to those who regularly experience them. These include:
Can Eye Allergies Worsen with Dry Eyes?
Eye allergies and chronic dry eyes often share the same symptoms, like redness, burning, or sensitivity to light, but they differ in their causes. While eye allergies are caused by allergens that trigger a histamine response, dry eye syndrome usually occurs due to a lack of tear production brought on by genetic predisposition, metabolic conditions, or hormonal changes.
Dry eyes are often further aggravated by smoking, dry climate, or spending too much time looking at screens. It is also possible to misdiagnose dry eye syndrome as an eye allergy or an eye allergy can mask dry eye syndrome, which is co-occurring.
Chronic allergies could create conditions for dry syndrome. Antihistamine treatments for eye allergies could also aggravate existing dry eye symptoms.That is why it is vital to see your eye doctor at North Valley Eye Care if you are regularly experiencing any of the previously mentioned symptoms. A thorough eye exam should reveal whether you suffer from eye allergies, dry eyes, or both. Identifying the nature of the underlying conditions ensures a treatment plan that successfully eases your symptoms.
Treating Eye Allergies
If you have eye allergies, your eye doctor may choose to treat them with options like:
Antihistamines
One of the more common ways to reduce allergy symptoms is to inhibit the body’s histamine response. For eye allergies, patients often gain immediate relief by using antihistamine eyedrops.
The effect, however, only lasts a few hours, so you may need to re-apply drops several times a day. If you also suffer from dry eyes, antihistamine drops could make your eyes feel drier.
Mast Cell Stabilizer Eye Drops
Mast cell stabilizer eye drops are a new treatment that blocks the body’s histamine response like traditional antihistamines but at a more fundamental level. Histamine and other substances are contained as tiny granules within mast cells, a type of immune cell.
Mast cells release their histamine granules during an allergic reaction called degranulation. Mast cell stabilizer eye drops slow or stop degranulation, especially after they are applied during future allergens exposure.
Treating Dry Eyes When Necessary
When eye allergies and dry eyes occur together, patients may need adjustments in their treatment plan, such as limiting antihistamines or utilizing artificial tears to supplement tear flow. Patients may also benefit from separate treatments for dry eyes, like prescription medication, punctal plugs, or amniotic membrane therapy.
Why Do You Need to Treat Eye Allergies?
Treating eye allergies is crucial for keeping your eyes healthy and living a quality life. Leaving your eye allergies untreated can lead to chronic discomfort, affecting daily activities and productivity. In some cases, persistently rubbing your eyes due to itchiness from eye allergies can lead to corneal damage. It can also increase your risk of developing eye infections.
Ongoing inflammation from allergies may exacerbate other eye conditions. You can alleviate immediate symptoms and prevent potential long-term complications by seeking proper treatment. Your eyes deserve the same care and attention as any other part of your body. Do not let eye allergies compromise your vision or comfort. Consult with the experts at North Valley Eye Care for personalized treatment options.
Are you ready to improve your eye allergy symptoms? Take the next step by requesting an appointment at North Valley Eye Care in Chico, CA.
