Allergic conjunctivitis is the medical term for eye allergy typically caused by a pollen or allergen.
Like all allergies, allergic conjunctivitis starts when the immune system identifies an otherwise harmless substance as an allergen. This causes the eyes to water, itch, hurt or become red or swollen.
The most common causes of allergic conjunctivitis are seasonal allergens such as pollen and mold spores. People with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) normally notice their symptoms worsen when they go outdoors on days with high pollen counts. Indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander can also cause eye allergies year-round.
Symptoms and Treatments
Eye allergy symptoms can be very annoying. Yet they pose little threat to eyesight other than temporary blurriness. They can however cause significant swelling around the eyes and in the eyes itself.
Eye allergies are best treated with prescription allergy eye drops for temporary relief as well as regular use of corticosteroid nasal spray. The tear ducts drain into the sinuses and her the nasal spray can reduce the inflammation at this site thus helping reduce the severity of your eye symptoms.
These medicines can help take the symptoms away but the only treatment that can help cure you of your allergies is allergy immunotherapy. This is a long term management plan that is a natural cure so talk with your friendly board-certified allergists at The Allergy Group for more information on this great treatment.
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