Best Allergy Eye Drops With Artificial Tears: Refresh
Artificial tears like those from Refresh can help wash away irritants and lubricate dry eyes. However, you wont want to use them more than 4-6 times per day. Excessive use can cause discomfort. Refresh artificial tears work to repair the damaged surface of the eye and prevent your natural tears from evaporating.
What Is Allergic Conjunctivitis
Red, burning, itching, tearing eyes are the main symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. The condition affects millions of Americans. More than one-third of children suffer from allergies. About 30% to 50% of children who have one parent with allergies will develop allergies. About 60% to 80% of children who have two allergic parents will develop allergies. Sufferers can feel downright miserable. Allergies cause fatigue, difficulties performing everyday activities, and may interfere with sleep. The condition may occur year round or seasonally. People who suffer may have dark circles under the eyes, known as allergic shiners. There are different types of allergic conjunctivitis and different triggers. Effective treatment depends on the type the patient has as well as identifying their unique triggers.
How To Use Eye Drops
Placing drops in your eyes can seem frightening for some, while others may feel squeamish. The truth is, it does not hurt and often it can provide quick relief for your symptoms.
For best and safest results, here is the process:
You should not use most eye drops for more than 72 hours. If you are still experiencing red, itchy, watery eyes after 72 hours of use, stop using the drops and .
Read Also: Children Claritin
Allergy Vs Cold: How Can You Tell The Difference
It is crucial to check the ingredients of your over-the-counter eye drops. Some of these eye drops have preservatives that can increase eye allergy symptoms like itchiness and redness. Benzalkonium chloride, found in 70% of eye drops, can cause eye damage with long-term use or in sensitive individuals .
Some people want relief so badly they will use two or more types of eye drops. Its important to know both the brand and generic name of the eye drops, so you dont overdo it. Using too much can decrease the effectiveness and increase both the side effects and dose. You may also cause an eye injury if you use too much .
There are four main types of eye drops used to treat allergic conjunctivitis:
- Antihistamine eye drops
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops
Buying Guide For Best Eye Drops For Allergy Relief
Red, itchy, weepy eyes are the bane of allergy sufferers as blood vessels in the eyes become inflamed and swell in response to exposure to pet dander, mould, or pollen.
Eye drops can soothe nerve endings in the eyes and block the histamines the body produces when it interacts with an allergen to relieve itching, redness, wateriness, and swelling so you can focus on work or play. But not all eye drops for allergy relief are equally created. Brands and formulas vary by type, potency, effectiveness, how quickly they resolve painful allergy reactions, and how often they can be safely used.
Read Also: Do Antibiotics Make You Itch
Relieve Itchy Eyes With These Top Picks
Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Women’s Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University.
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. Youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
Verywell / Chloe Jeong
When you hear the words seasonal allergies, you probably think of nasal symptoms like sniffling and sneezing. But dont forget about your eyes: theyre susceptible to environmental allergens, too, and can itch, burn, water, and turn red at the drop of a hat .
Plus, pollen isnt the only offenderpet dander, dust, ragweed, and grass can also cause your eyes to have an allergic reaction. Common OTC allergy medications may help, but according to University of Missouri Health Care allergist Christine Franzese, MD, eye allergy symptoms are some of the hardest ones to treat.
Oral antihistamines will help with eye symptoms about 50% of the time and nasal steroid sprays, like fluticasone, will help 60% of the time, she says. So there will be patients where other medications arent helping or arent helping enough.
What Are The Different Types Of Allergy Eye Drops
As we mentioned above, the best way to relieve eye symptoms are unsurprisingly eye drops. They generally fall into two categories: over-the-counter and prescription.
Within those buckets, eye drops can either be decongestants, antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers , corticosteroids, or a combination of an antihistamine, mast cell stabilizer, or decongestant.
- Ketotifen : Antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer, OTC
- Azelastine : Antihistamine, prescription
- Naphazoline/Pheniramine : Antihistamine/decongestant, OTC
If you arent sure which one is right for you, Picnic can help. Tell us about the symptoms and seasons that irritate your eyes the most, along with a little about your treatment history, and we’ll get you the personalized Allergy Pack and ongoing care you need to soothe those itchy, watery eyes.
You May Like: Cetirizine For Itching
Mast Cell Stabilizer Allergy Eye Drops
These are amongst the latest types of eyedrops. They assist avoid the release of histamine and other chemicals made by your body during an allergy.
Mast cell stabilizers are made to prevent your symptoms.
You may have the ability to use these drops for lots of months without any side effects. If you wear contacts, mast cell stabilizers might let you use them longer.
Non-prescription mast cell stabilizer drops consist of:
Ketotifen fumarate .
Prescription mast cell stabilizer eyedrops include:
- Cromolyn .
Who Needs Antihistamine Eye Drops
This specific type of eye drops is usually recommended as a first line of treatment for eye allergies, especially if oral antihistamines are not effective.
Most people with itchy, watery eyes caused by histamine reactions from allergens will benefit from short term usage of antihistamine eye drops.
For patients with underlying eye issues or those who believe allergens do not cause their eye conditions, immediate medical attention should be sought.
Recommended Reading: Zyrtec Vs Allegra For Hives
Effective Options For Eye Allergy Symptom Relief
There are better choices for OTC eye drops for the treatment of eye allergies, including ketotifen, which is a topical antihistamine and mast-cell-stabilizing eye drop. Ketotifen is marketed under the brands Zaditor, Alaway, Claritin Eye, Zyrtec Eye, and Visine All-Day Eye Itch Relief, as well as in generic versions.
Who Shouldn’t Use Opticrom Allergy Eye Drops
- People who wear contact lenses. Opticrom allergy eye drops contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. You should not wear contact lenses while you are using these eye drops.
- People with known sensitivity or allergy to any of the ingredients. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using these eye drops and get advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Don’t Miss: Advil Allergy And Congestion Relief Drowsy
Eye Drops For Allergies: Best Itchy Eye Solutions
While itchy eyes arent dangerous to your vision, they can affect your quality of life. Eye allergies usually occur together with allergic rhinitis and other allergic reactions. Its important to know what you can do right now to relieve the itching and redness, which treatments are available without a prescription, what works best, and when to see a healthcare provider.
How Should I Use This Medication
The recommended dose of sodium cromoglycate eye drops for adults and children over 5 years of age is 1 or 2 drops in each eye 4 times daily at regular intervals. If possible, start treatment before your usual allergy season.
To avoid contamination of the bottle tip, replace the cap after each use and do not touch the eye, finger, or other surface with the bottle tip. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after using the drops.
To instill the drops:
If you are not sure how to use the drops, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
It is important to use this medication exactly as suggested by your doctor or pharmacist. Keep using this medication for the full length of treatment, even if your symptoms go away. Using this medication regularly during the allergy season will help ensure your symptoms remain controlled.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from direct sunlight, and keep it out of the reach of children. Discard opened bottles after 4 weeks.
Read Also: Zyrtec Allergy Pills
Conceal Eye Circles Carefully
If you are self-conscious about the appearance of dark circles, you can minimize their appearance with concealer. If the circles are blue, choose a concealer with a yellowish tinge to best hide the problem. If the circles are more brown, choose a concealer with an orange or peach tinge to mask the problem. Use no to minimal eye makeup as makeup may make symptoms worse. The less you put on your eyelids and around your eyes, the better. Instead, accentuate another feature, like your mouth. Put on a flattering shade of lipstick and you’re good to go.
Will My Insurance Cover These Medications
Prescription, generic medications are likely to be covered by insurance plans as Tier 1 medications, meaning that theyll fall under the lowest medication copay price. However, copays can sometimes be more expensive than paying out of pocket with a coupon, so remember to shop around. The lowest GoodRx price for olopatadine, for example, is currently about $16 for a 2.5 mL bottle . And the lowest GoodRx price for azelastine is currently about $18 for a 6 mL bottle .
Prescription, brand-name medications like Pataday and Alocril will likely be considered Tier 2 or 3 medications by insurance companies, meaning you will have a moderate to high copay for them. They also tend to have higher retail prices. Pataday can cost well over $200 for a 2.5 mL bottle.
To save on brands, remember that generics are sometimes available, and they tend to be cheaper. Some manufacturers also offer patient assistant programs to help people save. To find out if your medication is offered under a PAP, search for the drug name on goodrx.com and scroll down to see ways to save.
Over-the-counter eye drops tend to range from $5 to $20 per bottle.
Dr. O
Read Also: Will Dayquil Help Allergies
Forms Of Allergy Drops
Allergy drops may come in liquid or tablet form.
Currently, all allergy drops approved by the FDA are in tablet form. The FDA is still evaluating the safety and efficacy of the liquid form and hasnt approved it yet. In the United States liquid drops are still used by some doctors but only as off-label drugs.
How Allergy Drops Work
SCIT and SLIT are forms of allergen immunotherapy. Allergen immunotherapy refers to repeatedly exposing you to small doses of something youre allergic to to make you less sensitive to it. When the allergen is given to you by placing it under your tongue, its called sublingual immunotherapy or allergy drops.
Unlike antihistamines and other medications that treat allergy symptoms, immunotherapy treats the condition itself.
When your body is exposed to a moderate to large amount of something youre allergic to, your immune system tries to get rid of it. This causes the familiar symptoms of allergic rhinitis, like sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.
On the other hand, repeated exposure to small but increasing doses of allergen desensitizes your immune system. Eventually, your body becomes tolerant of the allergen, so you get fewer or less severe symptoms when exposed to larger amounts of it.
Don’t Miss: Allergy Pill Loratadine
Doctor Recommended Allergy Eye Drops
With so many allergy eye drops available, it can be nearly impossible to choose the best brand and formulation for your needs.
For the greatest relief from eye allergy symptoms, see an eye doctor near you for a careful evaluation and a professional recommendation of the best allergy eye drops for you.
Schedule an exam
What Side Effects Are Possible With This Medication
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- burning or stinging of the eye
- dry eyes
- puffiness around the eyes
- watery, itchy eyes
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
You May Like: Allergic Reaction Lip Blisters
How To Use Antihistamine Eye Drops
If you are using the over-the-counter product, read all directions on the product package before using this medication. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, use it exactly as directed.
Apply 1 drop to the affected eye, usually twice a day or as directed by the package instructions or your doctor.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
Ask your doctor if you can wear contact lenses while you are being treated with this medication. If your doctor says you may continue wearing them, remove them before using the eye drops, and wait at least 10 minutes after each dose before putting in your lenses. Do not use this medication to treat irritation from contact lens wear. Consult your doctor about the use of contact lenses when the eyes are red or irritated.
Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and apply 1 drop in the lower eyelid. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use, and keep the bottle tightly closed.
How To Identify Allergy Eyes
Allergic reactions can trigger a number of different symptoms,including redness, itching and watering.
Allergy eyes typically present with:
- Runny nose
- Redness, itchiness and swelling of the eyes
They also tend to occur in allergy season or around allergy triggers.
These symptoms are very common and are non-contagious. Symptoms are most often caused by an allergic reaction to triggers such as pollen, mold, dust, or pet dander.
On days when the pollen content in the air is high, it’s best to keep the windows and doors in your home closed. Dust and vacuum your home frequently to get rid of, or at least control, the causes of allergies. As well, consider getting an air conditioner to help filter out dust and pollen.
If you suffer from eye allergies, eye drops such as can help relieve your symptoms.
Recommended Reading: Znrtech
Everything You Need To Know About Eye Drops
Today there are eye drops to relieve almost every type of eye discomfort. From allergy eyes to computer-strained eyes, there are eye drops to help relieve redness, dryness, blurriness, and more.
Eye drops are usually used to relieve temporary minor discomforts. If you are experiencing extended discomfort, you should contact your eye care professional immediately. Eye drops are good for getting rid of redness or itchiness caused by allergies or lack of sleep.
They can also be used for dry eyes caused by weather conditions or a lack of tears. They are also used to relieve ocular pressure and help prevent glaucoma by preventing the overproduction of tears or helping to remove fluids from the eyes.
Drops for allergies and redness usually contain antihistamines or an agent that keeps the eyes lubricated with tears.
Due to the popularity of computers, drops for computer eyestrain are now widely available. These eye drops contain chemical agents that help relax the eye muscles and help with eye spasms.
When choosing an eye drop it is best to pick one that will relieve your particular symptoms. For people with dry eyes, lubricating eye drops are helpful.
Some drops require a doctors prescription, so if you are not able to find an eye drop for your particular discomfort, it is a good idea to ask your doctor.
