Ocular allergies, the joys of having occasional or chronic red, itchy, burning, and/or watery eyes are one of the caveats of having year-round warm weather in Tennessee, a.k.a. a perpetual allergy season. Many patients with ocular allergies may have accompanying sinus and nasal congestion. Pollen and mold are the main culprits, but some patients also develop allergies to pet dander, dust, makeup, and systemic medication.

Ocular allergies

The eyes are one of the most sensitive organs of the body. The skin on the eyelids are thin and large number of mast cells, the cells responsible for releasing the chemicals the result in many of the ocular allergy symptoms, are easily activated by mechanical rubbing of the eyes and aggravated by heat, like a hot shower.
Our eyes naturally have a line of defense – quality tears can lubricating and minimizing the contact allergens have with the surface of the eye. However, the high prevalence of dry eye (up to 14.5% in the normal population according to a recent study) and the many shared symptoms between ocular allergies and dry eye syndrome make it difficult to discern without a clinical consult. For more information, see previous blog on “How Dry Eye Syndrome Affects Vision.”

Treatment for Ocular Allergies

  • Avoiding the allergen is the most effective, but not always the most practical form of treatment especially if your allergen is airborne. Some may choose to stay indoors on days when pollen count is particularly high. Others may choose to add air filters to their homes. If going outside is a must, wrap around shades may create an additional barrier to shield the eyes from allergens.
  • Treating the underlying condition. As mentioned above, it is important to differentiate between dry eye syndrome and ocular allergies. Improving poor tear quality from dry eye syndrome may be enough in some cases to manage some people’s ocular allergies. Moreover, many systemic anti-allergy medications that aim to reduce the discharge from mucous surfaces, including the eyes, can result in dry eye.
  • Ocular Medications. There are many prescription, as well as over-the-counter, both topical and oral medications, including decongestants, lubricants, anti-histamines, mast-cell stabilizers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and steroids that can be used to manage and treat ocular allergies. A consult with your eye care practitioner is helpful to find relief from your ocular allergies faster.
  • Contact lens management. Contact lenses can sometimes trap and provide a surface where allergens can build-up and irritate the eye. Your eye care provider may make recommendations to change your cleaning regimen or change your wearing schedule and/or lens material to daily disposables, for example, to help improve the comfort of your contact lens wear during allergy season.
  • Immunotherapy. Those with severe allergic reactions may benefit from a consult with an allergist who can introduce allergy shots, or small allergens to the body in carefully titrated doses, which can gradually desensitize patients to their allergens. The process can takes up to a few years.