Millions of Americans suffer from eye allergies like red, swollen, itchy, or watery eyes. Eye allergies can cause enormous discomfort and disrupt your everyday life. At Summerlin Vision in Las Vegas, we can help you explore various treatment options to ease your symptoms so that you get relief during the allergy season.
What Causes Eye Allergies?
Many substances called allergens present in the air can evoke an allergic response when they come in contact with your nose and eyes. Airborne allergens include dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander. The other kinds of allergies, such as certain foods or bee stings, do not generally affect the eyes as airborne allergens do. Eye allergies may also be caused by adverse reactions to cosmetics or eye drops containing preservatives that induce artificial tears.
Types of Eye Allergies
There are two common kinds of eye allergies, namely seasonal and perennial.
- Seasonal Eye Allergies
The different seasons of the year can also cause eye allergies. For instance, the spring and summer months when the trees and flowers are in full bloom can also trigger allergies of the eyes.
- Perennial Eye Allergies
Perennial allergies are conditions that arise regardless of the seasonal changes. They can happen at any time of the year. These eye allergies are most often caused by compounds present throughout the year, such as dust, pet dander, air pollution, cigarette smoke, and strong perfumes.
Symptoms of Eye Allergies
The symptoms are often similar in both types of allergies. The common symptoms include blurry vision, itching, watery eyes, redness, swelling, and increased production of eye mucus.
These symptoms will persist until the allergen has been eliminated and the histamine response is managed. The cause of allergy symptoms differs for every individual. The allergens affecting you can be identified by keeping track of the compounds that cause the reaction.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Allergies
Generally, an optometrist can diagnose allergies based on the patient’s symptoms. The diagnosis can be confirmed with a slit lamp by examining the dilation of the blood vessels and swelling of the eye tissues.
However, the most effective treatment is reducing your exposure to an allergen. It would help that you remain indoors when the pollen count is high to prevent exposure to the eyes. Additionally, wearing sunglasses can minimize the chances of pollen entering your eyes. At home, allergic substances should be reduced by removing pets from the home and using comprehensive cleaning techniques to remove the dander and dust in the house.
Eye allergies should be addressed for your overall eye health. To ensure your vision stays clear and crisp, visit our office, Summerlin Vision, at 900 S Pavilion Center Dr #140, Las Vegas, NV 89144. You can also reach us at (702) 243-8788.