Allergies affect many people at one point or another. Some outgrow them while others don’t. While sure, you’re probably aware of allergies like pet dander and pollen, have you ever heard of eye allergies or ocular allergies? Here’s what you need to know about these allergies.
What Are Ocular Allergies?
Like your sinuses can get triggered by allergens, so too can your eyes. The eyelid has what’s called a conjunctiva. This membrane will start to get red, itchy, and uncomfortable when exposed to an allergen.
Although with traditional allergies you’d begin itching and sneezing and your nose would run, with ocular allergies, you may develop pink eye and vision blurring.
What Causes Ocular Allergies?
Many of the same triggers for sinus allergies also affect the eyes. These include seasonal allergies, pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, and pollen. If you already have hay fever or allergic rhinitis, you may also be more likely to have itchy, uncomfortable eyes.
What Are the Symptoms?
Here are the symptoms you may experience if you have ocular allergies:
- Puffy, swollen eyes that may get more swollen the more you rub at them
- A burning sensation in the eyes
- A persistent itching
- Eye redness
- Pink eye or conjunctivitis
- Blurry, teary vision
Ocular Allergy Treatment from Best Eyecare Associates, Your Eye Doctor
If you’re looking for an optometrist to treat your ocular allergies, you’ve come to the right place. We can recommend prescription drops to alleviate symptoms, or different eye washes or scrubs to help reduce the chances of a severe flair up. Here at Best Eye Care Associates, our eye doctor, Dr. Christine Best, can determine the diagnosis of an ocular allergy based on the symptoms. If you’re allergic to pollen, pet dander, or the like, you may have to make some lifestyle changes. These include watching pollen count more carefully and changing your housekeeping routine (this will also help if mold is causing your symptoms). Your eye doctor may prescribe you eye drops to reduce the itchiness, redness, and discomfort. You can also use cold compresses or even cold wash clothes on your face to lessen puffiness and eye pain and discomfort.
Here at Best Eyecare Associates, Dr. Best also treats glaucoma, keratoconus, computer vision syndrome, dry eyes, and more. With our contact lens and vision exams as well as our eyeglasses fittings, you can come to us no matter your vision needs.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometry Team
Come by today at Best Eyecare Associates at 2750 East 136th Avenue, Suite 201. You can also call us at (303) 254-4888. Luckily, most cases of ocular allergies are easily treatable. That said, symptoms like itchy eyes and swelling are uncomfortable, so make sure to see your eye doctor today!