Spring is just around the corner! Are you ready? Here are some tips for those of you who have allergies in your eyes.
From http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/eye-allergy.aspx
Eye Allergy Treatment & Management
If indoor allergens are causing your eye allergy symptoms, avoidance is the key to relief. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust in your home or try keeping pets out of the bedroom to reduce exposure to their dander.
If pollen and other seasonal allergens are causing your misery, here are a few helpful suggestions:
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to reduce the amount of allergen that blows into the eyes.
- Sunglasses can also help reduce the amount of allergen that lands in the eyes.
- Apply saline eye drops to the eyes after being outdoors to wash away allergens from the ocular lining.
Over-the-counter antihistamine pills and eye drops are often used for short-term treatment of eye allergy symptoms. However, prolonged use of some eye drops may actually make your symptoms worse.
Your doctor may prescribe stronger medications if your symptoms are long-lasting.
Corticosteroid eye drops are effective, but they often have side effects, even when used only for a short time. Use of this medication should be managed by an ophthalmologist due to the risk of side effects, such as glaucoma (increased ocular pressure), cataracts and infection.
Depending on what is causing your eye allergy symptoms, immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be very effective in providing long-term resistance to the triggering allergens.
