How Do Allergies Affect The Eyes
Your eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of the body, so they are vulnerable to anything that may cause pain. Just like the rest of the body, your eyes are susceptible to allergic reactions. You will agree that few things are more irritating than red, itchy, watery, burning and puffy eyes.
The most common fixes to the condition is a cold compress and over-the-counter medication, which is how many people deal with it.
But before you can begin to understand which long-term solution is best for your allergies, you first need to understand how they affect your eyes. Here is how.
Are Your Eyes Suffering From Seasonal Allergies
Posted by Dunn Family Eye Care | Apr 8, 2021 |
Ah, Spring! The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the trees are leafing out all over. After a long winter, the arrival of Spring is a welcome one. In fact, some of us get so excited by the warmer Spring weather that we completely forget that Spring is also allergy season for many people.
If youre a seasonal allergy sufferer, you remember all too well how annoying allergies can be. The sneezing! The sniffling! The runny nose! But do you also experience allergic symptoms in your eyes, including redness, swelling, itching and eye-watering?
Season allergies that affect the eyes result in a condition called allergic conjunctivitis. Its called that because the conjunctiva is the white part of your eye and itis is the medical term for inflammation.
If youre experiencing allergic conjunctivitis, what can you do to get relief? Lets explore the causes and symptoms of allergy eyes.
What causes allergic conjunctivitis?
Your conjunctiva will swell and become inflamed when an allergen is introduced into the eye and makes contact with the conjunctiva. An allergen is typically a harmless substance that triggers your immune symptom to respond as if its harmful.
What are common eye allergens?
Every person is unique, and everyone responds differently to different allergens. Some overall common allergens that often impact the eyes include:
What are the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?
What Are Eye Allergies
When a foreign particle or substance such as dust enters your eye, your body naturally releases histamine to protect you. An eye allergy can occur as your immune systems reaction to the presence of the irritant or allergen.
This reaction is also called allergic conjunctivitis, and it can cause eyelid discomfort and swelling. It can also affect the conjunctiva, the tissue layer that covers the front part of your eye and lines the inside of your eyelids.
You may also experience itching and a persistent urge to rub your eyes. In more serious cases, your eye turns so red and swells so much as it seeks to fight off the allergen that it seems as if it is infected. Such allergies are common, but not everybody has a significant reaction when dust or pollen gets into their eyes. They have a higher level of tolerance, just as some people are more vulnerable.
You may be at risk, too, if you experience nose allergies on exposure to foreign particles inside and outside your home or office environment. The severity of your allergic reaction can vary based on many factors.
While some people experience only lid inflammation, others suffer corneal irritation and scarring. You can minimize your risk of developing eye allergy complications with early management and treatment.
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How Do Seasonal Allergies Affect Your Eyes
May 25, 2022
The seasons will affect everyone differently. Most common are eye allergies that affect several people. This is characterized by swollen eyelids, itchy, burning sensation, or red eyes among others. Allergy symptoms and reactions are essentially the same for everyone, regardless of the specific allergens they are allergic to.
Seasonal allergies, on the other, had can only be brought on by direct contact with elements, like pollen, grass, and some type of flowers. Here is how seasonal allergies affect your eye in Fountain Valley, CA.
Is Eye Crust In The Morning Normal
Crusty eyes in the morning are normal, and almost everyone has experienced this condition at some point in their lives. Many people experience crusty eyes every morning.
However, crust in the morning may also be indicative of an underlying health condition. It is best to see a doctor if crust in the eyes occurs suddenly and frequently without a prior history of this condition or if an excessive amount of crust forms.
Conjunctivitis is usually due to allergy, infection or irritation of the conjunctiva.
Allergy is a very common cause.
Infection is the most common cause and, in addition to itch, redness and grittiness, there is usually a sticky discharge. Many germs can cause conjunctivitis. See separate leaflet called Infective Conjunctivitis for more details.
Irritant conjunctivitis is something most of us have experienced occasionally. For example, your conjunctiva may become red and inflamed after getting shampoo in your eyes, or after you rub your eyes when chopping chillies. The chlorine in swimming baths is another common cause. Also, in the days when smoking was allowed in bars, many people developed irritant conjunctivitis from cigarette smoke.
This rest of this leaflet is about conjunctivitis caused by an allergy.
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Treatment In The Comfort Of Your Own Home
A new therapy, known as sublingual immunotherapy, does not requirefrequent doctors appointments or supervision. Sublingualimmunotherapy involves daily administration of allergy drops given athome. The patient is treated with the allergens he or she is sensitizedto, and over time, he or she becomes more tolerant of those allergens.This means the patient will require less allergy medication and havefewer allergy symptoms.
Sublingual immunotherapy, which means under-the-tongue therapy,allows you to place drops under your tongue each day from the comfortof your own home. No weekly appointments are required, and no doctorsupervision is needed after each treatment. Sublingual immunotherapy isa great option for children too, for whom treatment has shown to besafe and effective.
When To Contact A Medical Professional
- You have symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis that do not respond to self-care steps and over-the-counter treatment.
- Your vision is affected.
- You develop eye pain that is severe or becoming worse.
- Your eyelids or the skin around your eyes becomes swollen or red.
- You have a headache in addition to your other symptoms.
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Why Youre Eyes Hate Spring
If your eyes overreact when pollen starts falling, you probably suffer from a condition called allergic conjunctivitis or ocular allergy. It happens when something youre allergic to affects the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers your eye and eyelid.
The reason your eyes turn red, itchy, watery and painful is that your immune system has identified something in the air as a threat. This threat is considered an allergen. Since your immune system believes its harmful to you, it stimulates the production of antibodies called Immunoglobulin . These antibodies are what end up causing an allergic reaction your eyes become inflamed and bothersome to you.
Seasonal allergens are the most common cause of conjunctivitis. Pollen and mold spores can quickly trigger the immune system to set off the production of Immunoglobulin. This is especially true when the pollen count is high on certain days.
Can Allergies Cause Dry Eyes
Yes, allergies can contribute to dry eye. Dr. Schellenberg says antihistamine medications, which help treat allergies, decrease tear production. This decrease in tear production can lead to dry eye.
Chronic allergic conjunctivitis may also cause tissue changes in the glands within the eyelids, she says. This tissue change can result in the production of unhealthy tear components which leads to dry eyes.
Because they are so closely related, having dry eye can lead to eye allergies and having eye allergies can lead to dry eye. For example, pollen and other airborne particles associated with seasonal allergies can cause inflammation that triggers dry eye. On the other hand, people with existing dry eye syndrome have issues with tear production. Without an adequate tear film present to properly lubricate the eye, the eye cannot protect against allergens.
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Differentiating Allergy And Dry Eye Symptoms
The main difference in symptoms between dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis is intense itching. While itching may occur with dry eyes, it is usually more intense with allergic conjunctivitis. Any itching associated with a runny nose or watery eyes also is a sign it is related to allergies.
Still, Dr. Schellenberg notes there are many symptoms that overlap between dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis may cause ocular redness, watery eyes, mucus discharge, swelling or puffiness around the eyelids, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light, she says. Itching is also present, and there may be an intense urge to rub the eyes.
Dry eyes have a more varied set of symptoms. The symptoms include scratchy sensation, feeling like something is in the eye, stinging, burning, ocular redness, watery eyes, sensitivity to light, mild itch, blurry vision, and stringy mucus discharge.
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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Contact Allergic And Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis
Contact allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the eye comes into direct contact with a foreign object, such as a contact lens.
Symptoms of contact allergic conjunctivitis can include:
- discomfort or pain from wearing contact lenses
A person can take steps at home to help manage and treat dry eyes. This involves a combination of controlling their environment and using over-the-counter and prescription medications.
The ACAAI recommends reducing allergic triggers in the environment by:
- wearing glasses instead of contacts
- washing hands after handling a pet
- using a dehumidifier to control mold in the house
- staying inside as much as possible during times of high pollen and closing windows
- wearing sunglasses or glasses outside to help prevent pollen from getting into the eye
- using mite-proof bedding and keeping living areas clean
- washing the face after exposure to allergens
In addition to limiting exposure to allergens, people can talk with their doctor about OTC and prescription medications for dry eyes. Some potential options include:
How Are Summer Allergies Treated
There are a number of ways your ophthalmologist can treat summer allergies, though it largely depends on whats causing the allergic reaction and the health of your eye. Either way, summer allergies dont need to haunt your eye health for long, so long as you seek treatment right away.
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter treatments, such as the use of artificial tears to wash allergens away, decongestants to reduce redness, or oral antihistamines to relieve itching. These are generally viewed as temporary solutions, but can be effective for the right person.
There are also a number of prescription treatments, such as antihistamine eye drops, mast cell stabilizer eye drops, NSAID eye drops, Corticosteroid eye drops, non-sedating oral antihistamines, allergy shots , or a combination of the above.
In addition to those treatments, they might suggest keeping doors and windows closed in the home, avoid fans, wear glasses when outdoors, avoid rubbing the eyes, keep humidity levels low in the home, clean your home frequently, and wash your hands after petting an animal.
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Schedule An Appointment With Us Today
Summer allergies can be extremely daunting for anyone that cant seem to get rid of them. If this sounds like you, its important to know that there are a number of treatment options available and your local ophthalmologist can help you find the one thats right for you.
When youre ready to finally retake control of your eye health from allergies, contact Dr. Omar Shakir at Coastal Eye Surgeons. Youll be blown away by our boutique-style setting and the amazing technology we have to monitor, diagnose, and treat all of your eye health needs.
Tips To Ease Swollen Eyes
Remember, these are your eyes were talking about, so check with your doctor or ophthalmologist before you try any treatment. But if you’re looking for relief, consider the following home remedies and medical interventions.
Wash your face. Washing your face is one of the first things you should do to combat itchy, swollen eyes, says Ogbogu. It can help wash away the allergens sticking to your skin and eyelashes.
Rinse out the eyes. “Rinse out the eyes if you can with a little bit of water, and that’s usually helpful,” Ogbogu says. That will loosen the allergens from the inside of your eyes and help to flush them out.
Apply a cold compress. “Cold compresses around the eyes can be helpful with itching and swelling,” says Ogbogu. Soak a towel or washcloth in cold water or refrigerate a damp cloth or eye pillow. Then lie down with the compress across your eyes to let the coolness reduce swollen eyelids.
Try allergy eye drops. Ogbogu suggests trying an over-the-counter eye drop made to soothe itchy, swollen eyes caused by allergies. An ophthalmologist might prescribe an antihistamine eye drop. The AAO cautions that using these drops for more than three days may actually increase irritating symptoms.
Mast cell stabilizer eye drops can also be effective, preventing the release of histamines in your body. Unlike antihistamines, these need to be administered before exposure to an allergen in order to prevent itching, notes the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
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Treating Your Hay Fever:
Anti-allergy eye drops In people with hay fever type allergies, the body mistakes something harmless, such as pollen, for a threat. This causes some of the defensive cells in the body, called mast cells, to produces histamine, which causes allergic inflammation and symptoms. While the best way to prevent hay fever is to avoid your pollen triggers, Anti-allergy eye drops can be used to help treat eye symptoms, as they target the site of inflammation directly. If you wear contact lenses remember to check if you can use the drops while your lenses are in.
One of the most common groups of eye drops used are called mast cell stabilisers. These work by preventing the allergic reaction and release of histamine, so these drops can help to treat symptoms before they start. The College has produced an infographic which gives guidance on the best time to start taking eye drops depending on your pollen triggers.
Steroid eye drops Sometimes, steroid eye drops may be prescribed in severe cases these are powerful anti-inflammatories but can have serious side effects, such as glaucoma, cataracts and damage to the cornea. They are also only available on prescription, and treatment is closely monitored to ensure they are safe to use.
If you want to learn more, ask your optometrist about the best ways to help your eyes during the hay fever season.
Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency
The main characteristic of LSCD is the deficiency or loss of stem cells in your limbus. These cells are critical for the functioning of the limbus and re-population of corneal epithelium. With such a complication, the corneal epithelium fails to renew and repair itself when the stem cells are lost.
Ophthalmologists also say that the damaged limbus stem cells stop the renewal process, causing partial or complete loss of stem cells. This may cause the opaque conjunctiva to start growing over your cornea and lead to excruciating chronic pain in the eyes.
At this point, you will start experiencing too much pain in the eye, uncomfortable irritation, excessive light sensitivity, blurred vision, contact lens intolerance, and in the worst-case scenarios, loss of clear vision.
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Preventing The Symptoms Of Hayfever
You can take several preventative measures to help avoid the allergens, mainly when the risk is high. It is worth noting that pollen is at its highest levels during mid-morning and early evening. Pollen levels also seem to fall significantly after rain.
One of the most common ways to treat hayfever is by taking anti-histamine tablets. Histamine is the main chemical released during an allergic reaction. By taking the tablets, you can combat itchy and watery eyes. Anti-histamine eye drops are also available if necessary.
If you wear contact lenses, consider switching to glasses. Your contact lenses could accumulate allergens over time, and glasses may provide a barrier to protect your eyes from pollen in the air.
It may be worth mentioning that alcohol can increase the symptoms of hayfever. If you do suffer badly from it, consider avoiding alcohol when the pollen count is high.
If you are struggling with the symptoms of hayfever, bathe your eyes in cold water regularly. Try showering and changing your clothes if you have been outside for a while this can get rid of some of the allergens getting near your eyes.
What Causes The Dark Blue
This is called the allergic shiner when theres swelling of tissue and fluid buildup in and around the eyes, blood starts to pool, darkening the skin and creating dark circles. The allergic shiner is also a common sign of environmental allergies to pollen, dust mites or pet dander, and it can also indicate food allergy.
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Types Of Eye Allergies
There are five types of ocular allergies that can produce symptoms. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the type most commonly confused with dry eye syndrome.
- Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: This is the most common type of eye allergy and occurs when allergens are more prominent during particular seasons.
- Perennial allergic conjunctivitis: This is similar to seasonal eye allergies except symptoms occur year-round.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis : This occurs when the inside of your eyelid gets red, swollen, and irritated. GPC is usually found in people who wear contact lenses.
- Vernal keratoconjunctivitis : This occurs when hard, elevated bumps appear on the upper eyelid due to an extreme hypersensitivity to allergens. It is more common in warm climates.
- Atopic keratoconjunctivitis : While vernal keratoconjunctivitis affects the upper eyelid, atopic ketoconjucnitivs is an allergic reaction that typically affects the lower eyelid. More specifically, the conjunctiva becomes red and swollen.
