Allergies? Your Eyes don't have to Suffer this Season!

When someone talks about allergies, people expect them to sneeze. But not only our nose is the part of our body that has an allergy attack – that can also occur in our eyes.

Eye Allergies: What’s that?

When airborne pollutants like dust and pollen meet the clear membrane, which covers the eyes (conjunctiva), then a substance called histamine is produced by the eyes to repel the allergen. Consequently, the eyelids and conjunctiva become itchy, red and swollen which is known as Eye Allergy. The eyes can tear and burn also.

Types Include:

Seasonal allergies happen at certain times of the year - usually early spring through summer and into autumn. Triggers are allergens in the air, commonly pollen from grasses, trees, and weeds, as well as spores from molds.
Perennial allergies happen year-round. Major causes include dust mites, feathers and animal dander. Other elements like perfumes, smoke, chlorine, air pollution, cosmetics and also certain medicines can be a factor for eye allergies.

Triggers of Allergy Eyes:

Key origin of eye allergy is the allergens in the air — both indoors and out. These allergens include:
The utmost common kinds of eye allergens are pollen from grasses, weeds and trees. Allergy caused by them is called seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
Eye allergens last year-round are known as chronic (perennial) conjunctivitis. These include Dust, pet dander and other indoor allergens.
Some chemicals as well as Makeup or perfume can cause eye allergies and called as contact conjunctivitis.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis occurs when eyes get sensitive and red by the allergy to contact lenses.

Symptoms of Eye Allergies:

Itchy eyes, red eyes, tearing, swelling and puffiness of the eyelids, the feeling of something caught in the eyes, burning eyes, watery eyes, Sensitivity to light, Grittiness etc.

Treating the Allergy of Eye:

The crucial point of treating eye allergies is to evade or bound contact with the element that causes the allergy.
Outdoor exposure is to be reduced when pollens are blowing around in seasons. It is better to wear glasses when going outdoors to lessen the quantity of pollen or dust getting into eyes and also lower the exposure to pets.
Many allergens that trigger eye allergies are airborne, so allergist consultation is required to determine for the right treatment option. Over-the-counter, or OTC eyedrops are the nonprescription and oral eye medications which are normally used for temporary relief of some allergies. These include tear decongestants, substitutes, oral antihistamines while prescribed eyedrops and drugs include NSAID eyedrops, antihistamine eyedrops, corticosteroid, mast cell stabilizer, nonsedating oral antihistamines etc.
Allergy shots (Immunotherapy): Immunotherapy requires when the signs and symptoms are uncontrolled by allergen escaping. Allergy shots may be an option then. It works by increasing the tolerance of eye to the ingredient that causes the allergic response. Tiny amounts of the allergen are injected with gradually increasing doses over time to build up immunity.

According to American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, ‘50 million people in the US have seasonal allergies, and its prevalence is increasing — affecting up to 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of children.’