Eye Allergies Specialist

What are eye allergies?

Also called allergic conjunctivitis, eye allergies occur when your body reacts to an otherwise harmless substance called an allergen. Unlike regular conjunctivitis (pinkeye), you can’t get eye allergies from another person. Goetzinger Eye Institute offers ocular allergy testing in office.

What are symptoms of eye allergies?

Eye allergies almost always cause symptoms in both eyes. Common symptoms of eye allergies include:

• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Eye redness
• Eyelid swelling
• Sensitivity to light
• Burning sensation in the eyes

It’s common to experience eye allergies at the same time as nasal allergies, especially if you’re allergic to seasonal allergens like pollen.

What causes eye allergies?

Allergies occur when your immune system responds to a normally harmless substance (allergen). When an allergen comes into contact with your eye, your body releases histamines to fight the allergen. The histamine reaction causes redness, itching, and other symptoms of eye allergies.

Common allergens that may irritate your eyes include:

• Dust
• Mold
• Smoke
• Pollen
• Pet dander

Many personal care products, such as perfume, makeup, and even eye drops, can trigger an allergic reaction in your eyes.

How are eye allergies diagnosed and treated?

First, your provider at Goetzinger Eye Institute carefully checks your eyes to see if you have allergic conjunctivitis or an eye infection. They can diagnose eye allergies by reviewing your medical history and examining your eyes with a slit-lamp microscope.

Then, they work with you to develop a treatment plan to control your eye allergies. The best way to treat eye allergies is to avoid any specific substances that trigger your symptoms. If you’re not sure what you’re allergic to, the team at Goetzinger Eye Institute may recommend that you see an allergist for testing.

Aside from avoiding known triggers, the team at Goetzinger Eye Institute may recommend one or more of the following treatments to relieve your allergy symptoms:

• Over-the-counter eyedrops
• Antihistamine eyedrops
• Corticosteroid eyedrops
• Oral antihistamines or decongestants
• Immunotherapy (allergy shots or tablets)

You should also avoid rubbing your eyes because that only irritates them further.

If you suspect you have eye allergies, call Goetzinger Eye Institute or book an appointment online today.