Spring Eye Allergies

Spring is in the air!  ...And so are pollen, ragweed, and a plethora of seasonal allergens.  Several cities in Connecticut were listed on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's top 100 list for "The Most Challenging Places to Live with Spring Allergies" for 2014.

What constitutes eye allergies?  And what can be done about it?


Common signs of eye allergies are itchy, watery, red eyes and swollen eyelids.  However, keep in mind that allergies are not the sole cause of these symptoms; an eye exam is necessary to rule out other alternative or concurrent causes such as dry eyes or an eye infection.

Several over-the-counter allergy medications address eye symptoms as well as those present elsewhere in the body (runny nose, sinus pressure, scratchy throat).  However, these medication have a tendency to dry out the eyes along with the nose.  With symptoms that primarily aggrevate the eyes, it may be worthwhile to look into allergy eye drops.  An eye exam will allow your eye doctor to recommend and prescribe specific eye medications based upon your symptoms.  Additionally, cool compresses over the closed eyelids are often helpful in relieving symptoms of itchy, irritated eyes -- especially for children and others who may be adverse to having drops put into their eyes.


Daily disposable contact lenses (those which are worn for one day and then thrown away) are generally the best option for individuals who wear contacts and also suffer from seasonal allergies.  This is because there is little chance for allergens to adhere to the surface of a contact lens if they are worn for one day only.  Additionally, if daily disposable contacts are not an option, alternative contact lens cleaning solutions (most notably hydrogen peroxide based systems) are often better at removing debris from the surface of a contact lens than others.  Your eye doctor will be able to make some recommendations based on the health of your eyes and your current type of contact lens.


In case you're interested in the top 100 worse citeis for allergies this spring, check out the AAFA's list here: http://www.aafa.org/pdfs/FINAL_public_LIST_Spring_2014.pdf