Itchy, Red Eyes
If your eyes are itchy and red it can be quite uncomfortable and cause difficulty with your vision. You may have trouble wearing your contact lenses also. You may also have other symptoms such as burning, watery eyes and swollen eyelids. Your symptoms may be from eye allergies, also called allergic conjunctivitis. Many eye problems such as infections can have similar symptoms so it is important me to perform an examination to assess for other conditions.
Eye Allergies
If you have allergic conjunctivitis you may have other symptoms such as sneezing, sniffling, nasal congestion and a runny nose. Your eye symptoms will often be in both eyes if they are due to eye allergies. Fortunately, allergic conjunctivitis usually causes no threat to your eyesight. It may cause temporary blurriness, though.
Triggers
It is important to try to avoid the triggers that cause your symptoms. Your allergies may be seasonal or perennial. If your allergies are seasonal, you may be allergic to pollen, grass or trees. Perennial allergies can be due to dust, mold and pet dander.
Home Remedies for Allergies
If you have seasonal allergies, it is important to try to not be outdoors during peak allergen times. It can be helpful to wear eyeglasses or sunglasses and to keep your windows closed when you drive. If you are allergic to dust mites, washing your sheets frequently can be helpful. Not rubbing your eyes can be helpful also.
Cool compresses and chilled artificial tears can be soothing if your eyes are bothersome. Over the counter allergy drops such as ketotifen can be very helpful also. There are oral over the counter allergy pills that can help. It is important to choose an oral medication that will not be sedating if during the daytime hours.
How Can We Help You?
Red eyes can be caused by many conditions. Allergies are just one possibility. Dr. Cindy Wang and I can perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine the exact cause of your symptoms. There are many prescription eye drops available for eye allergies. Allergy drops are more effective if taken regularly during your allergy season. For more severe symptoms, if due to allergies sometimes a short course of steroid eye drops can relieve your symptoms faster.
Alaina Kronenberg, M.D.
Cataract Specialist
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Dearborn, Michigan 48126