Allergy season is here, and that means many people are experiencing the typical sneezing and congestion that comes along with it. But, it can also mean trouble for your eyes. Understanding why your eyes feel worse during allergy season can help you take the right steps to protect your vision and know when it’s time to pay us a visit.
Increased Exposure to Airborne Allergens
During allergy season the air is filled with common triggers like pollen, dust and mold spores. When your eyes are exposed to these allergens, it can cause an immune response with classic symptoms such as redness, itching and watery eyes. The more time you spend outside, or even near open windows, means increased exposure for your eyes and a greater chance of symptoms making your eyes feel worse.
Dry Eye Symptoms Can Feel Worse
Many people that regularly experience dry eye symptoms notice that those symptoms get even worse during allergy season. That is because rubbing, inflammation, and environmental triggers can all interfere with the natural tear production that keeps the eyes lubricated and comfortable. Feelings of burning, stinging or grittiness are all typical dry eye symptoms, but they can easily be confused with allergy symptoms. We can help determine what is causing these symptoms and suggest appropriate treatment to alleviate the discomfort.
Contact Lenses Can Trap Allergens
For people who wear contacts, allergy season can be especially troublesome. Allergens can end up sticking to the lenses and actually trapping the irritants against the surface of your eye. This can make your eyes feel especially dry, itchy and uncomfortable. If these problems persist or are too disruptive to your daily routine, we can evaluate the situation and possibly recommend a temporary switch to daily disposable lenses or even glasses, in order to give your eyes a break.
Rubbing your Eyes Makes it Worse
Naturally, when your eyes are irritated or scratchy, the first response is to rub them. Unfortunately, during allergy season that just makes the situation worse. When you rub your eyes, it releases more irritating histamines, inflammation gets worse, and the delicate eye tissue can become damaged. This can create a cycle where itching leads to rubbing, and rubbing leads to even more discomfort. A better way of dealing with irritated eyes would be to rinse the eye or apply a cold compress.
Allergic Conjunctivitis May be an Issue
When allergies directly affect the eyes, the condition is known as allergic conjunctivitis. This is one of the most common reasons for worsening eye symptoms during allergy season. Signs of allergic conjunctivitis include red, swollen eyelids, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light or excessive itching. Mild cases can often be managed with over-the-counter treatments, but if symptoms are more severe might need to prescribe eye drops or suggest other stronger treatments.
Protect your Eyes this Allergy Season
It’s easy to dismiss allergy-related eye symptoms as something you just have to live with, but that’s not the case. If your symptoms are persistent or worsening, a comprehensive eye exam can help determine whether allergies, dry eye or another condition is to blame.
At Family Vision Development Center, we can help during allergy season by:
- Recommending specific treatments to relieve allergy symptoms
- Evaluating your tear film and eye health
- Suggesting contact lens alternatives or adjustments
- Prescribing medicated eye drops or other treatments if needed
Don’t ignore continuous discomfort because you feel like there are no other options. Contact us at 630-862-2020 to schedule an exam and find lasting relief for long-term eye health.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.