Eye Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Before you even get to enjoy the sunny skies, blooming flowers, and lush greenery of spring, allergy symptoms may start showing up—especially in your eyes. You might also notice itchy, watery eyes after spending time around pets or in dusty environments.

If your eyes are red and itchy, and you’re also dealing with a stuffy nose or sneezing, there’s a good chance allergies are the cause. Eye allergies are very common and often go hand-in-hand with nasal allergies.

These symptoms are usually triggered by allergens like pollen, dust, mold, or pet dander and can make your eyes feel irritated and uncomfortable.

The good news is that by understanding what’s behind your eye allergies and how to manage them, you can take steps to relieve the discomfort and regain control.

What Are Allergies? Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to a substance it mistakenly identifies as harmful. These substances are known as allergens. When exposed to an allergen, the body produces antibodies, which trigger an allergic reaction.

Common allergens include:

• Medications

• Certain foods

• Pollen

• Pet dander

• Insect stings or bites

• Mold

What Are Eye Allergies? Eye allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, are allergic reactions that affect the eyes. The most common types include:

• Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis – Typically triggered by airborne pollen, this form tends to flare up at certain times of the year.

• Perennial allergic conjunctivitis – Caused by allergens like dust mites, mold, or pet dander, this type can occur year-round.

Allergic conjunctivitis develops in two main stages:

1. Sensitization phase – The immune system first encounters an allergen (like pollen), misidentifies it as a threat, and creates antibodies in response.

2. Effect phase – With each future exposure to that allergen, the immune system reacts by releasing chemicals from immune cells, resulting in symptoms like itching, redness, and watering of the eyes.

Understanding this process is key to managing and treating eye allergy symptoms effectively.

Signs and Symptoms of Eye Allergies

Eye allergy symptoms can include:

• Itchy eyes
• Red or swollen eyes
• Burning or tearing eyes
• Light sensitivity

Those with eye allergies often also experience nasal allergies, in which case they may notice these symptoms as well:

• Stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy nose

How Allergies Affect the Eyes

Allergies can have bothersome effects on the eyes.

In those with eye allergies, their immune system has been primed to perceive certain substances, like pollen, mold, or pet dander, as harmful. When that substance touches their eye, the immune system responds by releasing inflammatory chemicals from immune cells. This release of chemicals causes the symptoms of eye allergies: red, itchy, swollen, and watery eyes.

Diagnosing Eye Allergies

Your eye doctor will ask about your symptoms, when you experience them, and whether you have a family history of allergies. They will look at your eyes using a microscope and check for signs of allergies, such as swelling of the blood vessels, eyelids, or conjunctiva. They may also scrape a tiny sample off the surface of your eye and test it for white blood cells.

How to Soothe Eye Allergies

Are you wondering how to relieve itchy eyes? Management strategies can include lifestyle modifications as well as medications.

Tips for Managing Eye Allergies

You can make changes to your environment and lifestyle that can help reduce the number of allergens you come in contact with and lessen your symptoms.

Here are a few itchy eyes home remedies that may be helpful:

• Avoid allergens. Stay inside when you can, especially when pollen counts are high if you’re affected by seasonal allergies to pollen. Keep the windows in your home and car closed to help keep pollen and other allergens out of your home and car. You can also purchase air filters and purifiers to help cleanse the air in your home.
• Reduce pet exposure. If you’re allergic to pet dander, wash your hands and clothes after touching animals. You may also want to replace carpet with smooth floors to prevent dander from getting trapped in the carpet.
• Protect your eyes. When you go outside, wear glasses, sunglasses, or goggles to minimize irritants having direct contact with your eyes.
• Keep everything clean. Shower before going to bed to remove pollen from your body. Wash your clothes after spending time outside and dry them inside rather than on an outdoor line. Clean your bedding, floors, and fabric furniture regularly to help remove pollen.
• Reduce humidity. If you’re allergic to mold spores, keep the humidity in your house between 30 and 50 percent and use dehumidifiers in moist areas.
• Don’t rub your eyes. Avoid rubbing your eyes (even though it may be tempting) when they are itchy and red from allergies, as this will only worsen your symptoms.
• Remove contacts. 40% of contact lens wearers report itchy eyes due to allergies. Contact lenses can make allergies worse, so consider wearing your glasses during allergy season. If you need to continue wearing your contacts, ask your eye doctor about allergy eye drops for contacts and about switching to daily disposable contacts to help relieve symptoms.
• Keep your eyes hydrated. Keep a container of artificial tears handy and use them often. These can add moisture and help relieve dry, itchy eyes.
• Use cool compresses. A cool compress or ice pack over your eyes can help relieve discomfort.

Medications for Eye Allergies

In addition to lifestyle modification, your eye doctor may recommend over-the-counter allergy eye drops or prescription eye drops or medications.

Options may include:

• Over-the-counter eye drops: There are several types of eye drops for allergies that can relieve mild eye symptoms. These may include antihistamine eye drops and vasoconstrictor eye drops. Some types of eye drops should not be used for extended periods, so talk with your eye doctor about what options are best if you’re experiencing symptoms for more than a couple of days.
• Prescription medications: If the symptoms persist with over-the-counter options, you might need something stronger, such as prescription eye drops or oral medications.

Get Relief for Your Eyes

Don't suffer in silence this allergy season. If your eyes are causing you a lot of discomfort, contact your eye doctor. They can confirm the cause of your eye irritation is allergies and not an underlying health condition and discuss treatment options.

Adapted with credit to the original source: VSP – Seasonal Allergy Relief