Consulting A Doctor Of Optometry For Eye Allergies
Some people who experience eye allergy symptoms simply view their itchy, watery eyes as part of the bigger picture and stick with over the counter medications and eye drops in their attempt to function, but for many consulting a doctor of optometry about these symptoms can make a big difference in how they get through allergy season as well as how they care for their eyes long term.
Itching And Itchy Eyes
Almost all eye itching is caused by some sort of allergy. Very often, mild itching can be helped with over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. Id avoid the ones that take away redness , as they can be addictive. You can also use cold compresses or ice packs to help with itchy eyes.
More severe itching may need extra help, such as oral antihistamines or prescription eye drops. Although itchy eyes are not an emergency, you still may need to consult your eye doctor for advice or a prescription.
If your eyelids are red and inflamed, you could have blepharitis. Make sure you visit your eye doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Quick Tip: Try to avoid rubbing your eyes! Rubbing releases chemicals called histamines that actually make the itching worse.
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Can Allergies Cause Blurred Vision
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Could It Be Diabetes
The condition raises your risk for an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in your retina, the part of your eye that senses light. That can lead to swelling in a part of the retina called the macula, new and unwanted blood vessels growing in the eye, and bleeding inside the eye.
Along with blurry vision, diabetic eye disease may also cause:
- âFloatingâ spots in your field of vision
- Permanent loss of vision
Early treatment is the best way to ward off permanent damage. So protect your eyes from diabetes by getting them checked at least once a year. Learn more about the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy.
Limiting Your Eye Allergy Symptoms
Allergies can develop at any age, so depending on your experience you may or may not feel like a pro when it comes to dealing with them. Either way, it is beneficial to get professional help early in the season. At Lone Star Vision Eye Care & Optical, we have locations in both Plano, TX and Celina, TX and are ready to serve your eye care needs in whichever is most convenient for you and your family.
In the meantime, it is always advisable to do what you can to limit outbreaks. Some of the most common eye allergens include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. Exposure to these things can be limited by keeping your home clean and installing filters and air purifiers in order to limit exposure. Outdoor symptoms can be lessened by wearing wraparound sunglasses and being mindful of pollen counts. If you wear contacts, consider giving your eyes a break from your lenses, or change disposable lenses more often to help keep your eyes from drying out or collecting allergens from the air.
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What To Do About Ocular Allergies
Ocular allergies pose no threat to your eyesight and they are not contagious. Its not like pink eye, even though the redness can appear like it.
The allergic reaction can impact sufferers quality of life, though. Blurry vision and constantly rubbing the eyes can interfere with work and having a good time outdoors when the weather warms up. This can be highly depressing, which is why most people who deal with this end up making an appointment with their optometrist.
An optometrist, or eye doctor, will perform a thorough eye exam. This exam will include asking questions about your symptoms and using eye instruments to take a deep look into the eyes to rule out any other issues.
If seasonal allergies are suspected to be the cause of the eye irritation, the optometrist may request that you seek an allergy test. The allergy test results will confirm your eye problems are due to pollen and/or mold spores.
Eye allergy treatment often consists of the following:
Pets And Vision: Why Some Pets Cause Eye Irritation
- Animals and Vision
A pet is the best friend you can have unless youre allergic to one. Have you experienced eye irritation after contact with pets? Or maybe after entering a room with pets?
In the United States, pet allergies are common. Approximately 15 to 30% of Americans suffer from pet allergies according to a study by Asthma and Allergy Foundation. Although cat allergies are more common, dog allergies are more severe.
Its estimated that 62% of American households have pets, and 10% of the populace have animal allergies. As such, a significant number of people are affected.
Do pets cause eye irritation?
Pets can cause eye discomfort directly and indirectly. Usually, the bodys immune system fights foreign substances, like viruses and bacteria. Pets carry eye allergens including dander, urine, pollen and saliva that can irritate the eyes.
Symptoms of pet-related eye irritation
- Burning or itchy eyes
Causes of pet related eye irritation
1. Pet dander
Pet dander is a leading cause of pet related eye irritation. The eyes become itchy, red and watery after entering a room where pets stay or after coming in contact with them. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health unraveled that detectable amounts of dander can be found in every home.
Pet dander gets worse as pets age. That implies that dander from old pets are worse than those from younger pets. Dander gets ferried through the air until it enters the mucous membranes in the eyes and lungs.
2. Pet saliva
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Triggers: What Causes Red Eyes
Red eyes may occur when someone is exposed to their triggers. These triggers may differ from person to person. Pollen, dog and cat dander, dust mites, and mold are just a few potential eye allergy triggers. When a susceptible person is exposed to these allergens, a substance called histamine is released. Histamine and other inflammatory compounds are responsible for itchy eyes, watery eyes, and other allergic symptoms. Eye drops are available that reduce redness. They may or may not contain compounds that act as antihistamines and relieve itching, too. Red eyes that may be mistaken for pink eye are a common symptom of eye allergies.
How Blurred Vision Is A Result Of Sinus Complications
You must be surprised to know but it is true that many people who have been suffering from chronic sinusitis had to experience blurred vision which is the most critical sinus complication. The constant effect of sinusitis can encourage sight issues in which blurred vision, seeing floaters or double vision are few of them. The vision issues can be an outcome of sinus inflammation or pressure on the backside of eyeballs. An infection to eye socket can create great amount of discomfort that can be managed only with intense medical care. A delay in medical attention can cause blindness or eye damage for permanent.
Sinus Congestion May Affect Vision
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Doctors Notes On Eye Allergies
Allergic reactions to environmental agents that involve the eyes are common. An allergic reaction that affects the conjunctiva, a clear layer of mucous membrane overlying the eyes, is referred to as allergic conjunctivitis, which is divided into several subtypes, with the most common being seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and perennial allergic conjunctivitis . SAC and PAC are triggered when someone who is allergic to a particular substance, such as pollen, is exposed to it. Common allergens include trees, grasses, weeds, dust mites, pets , and molds.
Symptoms of allergic reactions that affect the eyes include itchy eyes, watery eyes, red eyes, swollen eyes, burning sensation, and mattering and/or mucous production. Symptoms of pain, blurred vision, double vision, or changes in vision are not typical eye allergy symptoms and require medical attention.
All About Eye Allergy: The Itch The Blur And Condition Confusion
Five of every six people who suffer from allergic disease report eye-related symptoms, including watery or itchy eyes, with half of those calling the disturbance moderate to severe. In the midst of allergy season, an estimated 20 percent of contact lens wearers discontinue their use.
A Few Basics
The most common medications for treating eye allergy are antihistamines, both drops and oral. Over-the-counter and prescription dual-action, antihistamine and mast cell stabilizing agent drops may provide first-line relief faster than oral antihistamines. More recently, allergists have begun recommending topical antihistamine with mast-cell stabilizers.
If symptoms persist, especially during a period of high pollen, you may benefit from using these medications for days or weeks, following an allergist visit to determine the best treatment option.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
When aeroallergens contact the eye surface, this triggers IgE antibodies, leading to inflammation. Eyes turn red and itchy, with tearing or watery discharge, and/or swelling of the lid. The most telltale symptom of allergic conjunctivitis is itching of the eye and area around it.
Many contact lens wearers suffer from allergic conjunctivitis. Ophthalmologists often suggest switching to once-daily disposable lenses and/or preservative-free solutions, or perhaps taking a break from lenses. A once-daily ocular antihistamine drop can relieve itchy, watery and red eyes for up to 24 hours.
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When To See An Eye Doctor
Blurry vision is usually temporary and does not require medical attention. However, if your blurred vision persists or has additional symptoms with it, its wise to see an eye doctor.
Suffering a head injury near bedtime especially one severe enough to cause a concussion can cause blurry vision in the morning. In this case, blurry vision may also be accompanied by other symptoms, including:
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Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Allergies
When youre plagued by seasonal or year-round eye allergies, youre probably wondering why youre afflicted with this problem and what can be done about it. Rest assured that you can achieve eye allergy relief, with the aid of your friends at Lone Star Vision. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions on this subject.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at or .
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Could It Be Parkinsons Disease
Blurry vision is not the first sign of this nerve disease. But as it gets worse, it can affect sight. Thats because the condition may change how your eyes move. As your sight seems less sharp, you may strain your eyes because they have to work harder to focus.
Parkinsons disease affects much more than the eyes. It also causes:
- Poor balance and coordination
Symptom: Your Eyes Keep Watering Even In The Absence Of Allergies
What it is: Dry eye, eye strain or environmental irritation
You might wonder: How can my eyes water so much if I have dry eyes? It’s actually your eyes overcompensating for the dryness and producing excess tears to keep your eyeballs and eyelids lubricated.
Eye strain also causes your eyes to water, often because eye strain involves keeping your eyes open for long periods of time without noticing it. If you don’t blink often enough, your eyes will become dry, and they will attempt to remedy the problem by producing more tears.
Environmental factors, such as bright sunlight, gusty winds, dust and cold air can irritate your eyes and cause them to water — cold, windy weather in particular because both of those conditions dry out your eyes.
Your eyes are always producing tears, even when you’re not crying. Dry eye can cause your tear ducts to overcompensate, and irritants trigger tears as a defense mechanism.
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Schedule An Appointment With Our Eye Doctor In Boston Today
As a top-rated eye doctor in Boston, Dr. Fox is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of eye allergies, helping patients of all ages relieve itching, burning and other symptoms while preventing recurrence and optimizing eye health. If you have eye allergies or youre experiencing itching, burning or other symptoms, call Eyes Over Copley at 617-859-0630 and schedule your exam today.
Eye Allergy Diagnosis And Treatment In Plano And Celina
Allergies are among the most common of ailments in the United States. Its estimated that 30-50% of Americans experience allergy symptoms, and 3 quarters of those feel at least some of those symptoms in their eyes. But just because eye allergies are common doesnt mean that if you are one of the people who have them you can afford to carry on as usual. The right guidance from your optometrist in Celina or Plano, Texas can make a big difference on how you manage your condition and the extent that you are able to enjoy the world around you.
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Spring Allergies Hurting Your Eyes What You Need To Know
Spring is finally here, but with warmer weather, flowers, and budding trees, come those dreaded seasonal allergies.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 50 million people in the United States have seasonal allergies, and its prevalence is increasingaffecting up to 30% of adults and up to 40% of children. In addition to having symptoms of sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose, most of allergy sufferers also experience itchy, watery, red eyesas well as swollen eyelids. Some may also experience blurred vision as well or feel as if they have something floating in their eye. So what can you do to both prevent and treat your symptoms? Here are a few ideas to help soothe your eye irritations this allergy season.
The first step to relieve your symptoms is an evaluation with your eye doctor to determine whether it is indeed allergy related. Its vital to rule out other eye-related problems such as an infection , inflammation, or dry eye syndrome, which all require entirely different treatment options.
This is easier said than done , but there are things you can do to help keep those allergies at bay:
When To See A Doctor
Since there are many potential causes of dry eye, a person should talk to their doctor if they have persistent dry eyes or their symptoms do not get any better. A doctor can check for other possible causes of the dryness and make a diagnosis.
A doctor will often ask about symptoms and examine the affected eye. According to the American Optometric Association, a doctor will likely check:
- how the eye responds to light
- how the mechanics are working
- tear production
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Avoid Outdoor Allergy Triggers
Do your symptoms act up in the spring or summer? You may have seasonal eye allergies. Pollen from grass, weeds, and trees may trigger your eye allergy symptoms. Monitor pollen counts and stay indoors when they are high outside, if possible. Close the windows and run the air conditioner to help filter the air. Pollen counts tend to be the highest in the early evening and mid-morning when winds are most active. If you must be outside, wear sunglasses to minimize contact with allergens. Do not use window fans. These can draw irritants from outside and deliver them into your home and make eyes itchy.
What Is Blurry Vision
Blurry vision can be any loss of focus or sharpness in what you see. It may be in one eye or both, in just one area of vision or in everything you look at. Furthermore, it can be blurry just for things that are close up or just for things far away, or just in certain situations.
In most cases, blurry vision is either temporary and mild or a simple sign that your sight is not perfect. In others, however especially in cases of sudden blurry vision it can signal a serious health concern. Minor or gradual changes in vision should be examined by an eye doctor. If you have a sudden or dramatic change in vision, seek medical care right away.
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How Are Eye Allergies Treated
Eye allergy treatment will depend on the cause and severity of symptoms. Individuals may find relief by controlling environmental factors. For example:
Keep doors and windows closed Wash sheets and bedding often and in hot water Keep pets out of bedrooms Eliminate water leaks in your home Use a dehumidifier
In addition, home remedies such as applying a cold compress to the eyes, eye drops, antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids may help you find relief. If your eye allergy symptoms are severe, your allergist may recommend allergy shots.
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All Steroid Medications Must Be Taken With Caution As They Also Produce Side Effects That Can Affect Your Eyes And Vision
Corticosteroid drugs, also called steroids, stimulate the production of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a natural hormone that helps to stabilize the bodys anti-inflammatory response system, and maintain immune function and blood pressure. Doctors typically prescribe steroid drugs to reduce any type of inflammation in the body, including eye inflammation.
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