Tackling Eye Allergies This Spring
Eye allergies, also known as ‘Allergic Conjunctivitis’ are a common eye problem seen every year by eye care professionals. This issue surges during the springtime due to environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander. Dirt, smoke, chemicals, chlorine and perfume can also cause irritation and infection. The tissue around the eyeball, called the conjunctiva, which keeps the eyeball and the eyelid moist, becomes inflamed and can then become infected. This can become uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.
Jacqueline Gattegno, a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi, provides information that can help people cope with, or avoid the problem of eye allergies this spring.
Some of the main symptoms related to Allergic Conjunctivitis include, redness in the eyes, itchiness, burning, watery eyes, swollen eyelids, or feeling like there is dirt or grit in the eyes. These are often accompanied by a runny or itchy nose as well as coughing, sneezing and other normal allergy symptoms. “Some people have also experienced blurry vision for a brief period. If not treated immediately, there is a risk that the allergens could spread from one eye to the other and then both eyes will be affected,” says Jacqueline. Symptoms can vary depending on the person. One may have a combination of these symptoms or perhaps only one of the symptoms.
Treatments for Allergic Conjunctivitis include, saline drops that help to wash away the allergens, over-the-counter medications, prescription treatments, or allergy shots from a doctor. If treated correctly, the symptoms may disappear completely. “Although there are ways to treat eye allergies, the best option is to try to avoid coming into contact with the allergens,” suggests Jacqueline.
Other methods to avoid eye allergies include, not touching or rubbing eyes, washing hands often with soap and water, making sure the environment is free of dust, regularly washing bedding and vacuuming pet hair, wearing sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat, and keeping windows closed to avoid pollen from blowing into the house.
Wearing heavy eye makeup can also irritate eye allergies. Allergic Conjunctivitis symptoms can last 4-8 weeks and commonly remain through the pollen season. If the symptoms do not go away after the pollen season then it may be time to seek help.
“Allergic Conjunctivitis is sometimes confused with Conjunctivitis or pink eye but they are definitely different,” says Jacqueline. If any of the symptoms or eye allergies arise, it is important to book an assessment with a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist so that an assessment can be made and a unique wellness treatment can be developed to help manage eye allergies.
Smart Vision Optometry Eyes InDesign Bondi, provides professional expertise to best evaluate and treat eye-related queries and visual problems and supports patients to optimise their visual health.
