Eye Allergy Treatment Options for Red, Itchy, Watery Eyes

What Can Trigger Eye Allergies?

Eye allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, develop when your immune system reacts to an otherwise harmless substance such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, or pet dander. 

Some allergens are present throughout the year. These are often referred to as perennial allergens and commonly include household dust, pets, and indoor mold. Other triggers are seasonal and may become more noticeable during certain times of year. Tree pollen, grass pollen, and ragweed are common examples. 

When your body encounters an allergen, it releases histamine. This chemical causes blood vessels in the eyes to widen and contributes to redness, swelling, itching, and excessive tearing. That is why symptoms may develop quickly after you come in contact with a trigger. 

Symptoms of Eye Allergies

Allergic conjunctivitis can cause several symptoms, including: 

• Burning sensation 

• Itchy eyes 

• Redness 

• Puffy eyelids 

• Tearing 

These symptoms do not automatically mean you have eye allergies. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can cause similar redness and watering, and dry eye may also produce burning, irritation, and reflex tearing. 

An eye doctor can review your symptoms and examine the eye surface to help determine the cause. In some cases, additional testing with a primary care doctor or allergy specialist may help identify the allergens responsible. 

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Allergy Triggers

One of the most effective ways to control eye allergies is to reduce contact with the substances that trigger them. Depending on the allergen, this may be easier said than done. 

For pet dander, limiting close exposure and keeping pets out of the bedroom may help. Pollen is harder to avoid because it can enter the home through windows, doors, clothing, and hair. On high-pollen days, keeping windows closed, using air conditioning, and spending more time indoors may reduce symptoms. 

Mold spores are often more prevalent in damp environments. Keeping wet leaves, compost, and other decaying organic material away from the home may help reduce exposure. If mold is a known trigger, it may also be helpful to limit time outside during especially damp conditions. 

For dust mites, wash bedding and clothing regularly in hot water. Cleaning carpets, using washable curtains, and choosing furniture that is easier to wipe down may also reduce the amount of dust and allergens in your living space. 

Eye Allergy Treatment Options

When avoiding allergens completely is not realistic, treatment focuses on removing allergens from the eye surface, calming the allergic response, and reducing future flare-ups. Mild symptoms may improve with home care and lubricating eye drops. Over-the-counter medications can provide additional relief, while persistent or severe symptoms may require prescription treatment from an eye doctor. 

Allergen Avoidance and Home Care

After spending time around a known allergen, wash your face and consider showering before bed to remove pollen, dander, and other particles from your skin and hair. This can also help prevent allergens from transferring to your pillow and bedding. 

Wash clothing and bedding regularly, and avoid cigarette smoke or other irritants that may make symptoms worse. If you wear contact lenses, follow the recommended cleaning and replacement schedule carefully. On high-pollen days, switching to glasses may help reduce the amount of allergens that collect on your contacts. 

A cool compress can also provide relief from itching and swollen eyelids. Wet a clean washcloth with cool water, wring out the excess, and place it over your closed eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes. 

Antihistamine Drops and Artificial Tears

Artificial tears help rinse pollen, dust, and other allergens from the eye while providing moisture to relieve burning, grittiness, and irritation. Preservative-free artificial tears may be a good option for people who use lubricating drops frequently or have sensitive eyes. 

Antihistamine eye drops work by blocking histamine and may provide quick relief from itching, redness, and watering. Depending on the product, they may be used once or twice per day. Some over-the-counter redness-relief drops temporarily shrink surface blood vessels and make the eyes appear less red. However, these products do not treat the allergic reaction itself and may not be suitable for frequent or long-term use. 

Medicines

Oral antihistamines may help when eye symptoms occur along with sneezing, nasal congestion, or other allergy symptoms. However, some antihistamines can make dry eye symptoms worse, so you may also need lubricating drops. 

If over-the-counter treatments are not controlling your symptoms, an eye doctor may recommend prescription medication. Mast-cell stabilizer drops help limit the release of chemicals involved in allergic reactions and may be especially helpful for recurring symptoms. 

Some medications combine antihistamine and mast-cell stabilizing properties. Examples include Elestat® (epinastine), Zaditor® (ketotifen), and Patanol® (olopatadine hydrochloride). These drops may help reduce itching, burning, redness, and tearing. 

During severe flare-ups, an eye doctor may prescribe steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation. Because steroids may increase eye pressure or raise the risk of certain infections, they should only be used under close medical supervision. 

Which Eye Drops Are Best for Eye Allergies?

The best eye drop for eye allergies depends on the symptoms you have, how often they occur, and what is triggering them. Some drops are mainly designed to rinse and moisturize the eyes, while others target the allergic response directly. 

Common options include:

• Artificial Tears: Lubricating eye drops can help rinse pollen, dust, and other allergens from the surface of the eye while relieving dryness and irritation. Preservative-free artificial tears may be useful for people who need drops frequently or are sensitive to preservatives. 

• Antihistamine Eye Drops: These drops block histamine, a chemical released during an allergic reaction. They may provide relief from itching, redness, and watering associated with eye allergies. 

• Antihistamine and Mast-Cell Stabilizer Drops: Combination drops can relieve current allergy symptoms while also helping reduce the release of chemicals involved in future allergic reactions. They may be especially useful for recurring seasonal symptoms. 

• Redness-Relief Drops: Some over-the-counter drops temporarily constrict blood vessels to make the eyes appear less red. However, they do not treat the underlying allergic response and may not be the best option for frequent or long-term use. 

• Prescription Anti-Inflammatory or Steroid Eye Drops: More severe or persistent eye allergies may require prescription treatment. Steroid eye drops can have important side effects and should only be used under the supervision of an eye doctor. 

If you are unsure which type of eye drop is right for your symptoms, or OTC products are not providing enough relief, an eye exam can help. A Nationwide Vision doctor can determine whether allergies or another eye condition may be responsible and recommend the appropriate treatment. 

Eye Conditions with Similar Symptoms to Allergic Conjunctivitis

Not every red, watery, or irritated eye is caused by an allergy. Several other conditions may produce symptoms that resemble allergic conjunctivitis, including:

• Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergy that causes symptoms like sneezing, congestion, an itchy nose, and a sore throat. 

• Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when tears can’t provide enough lubrication for your eyes. This tear instability will lead to inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface.  

• Pink eye (seasonal allergies conjunctivitis) is an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid. Pink eye is typically caused by bacteria, allergic reaction, or, in babies, an opened tear duct. 

 If you notice any of these symptoms, contact an eye care professional at Nationwide Vision.

Eye Allergies vs. Pink Eye: What’s the Difference?

Eye allergies and pink eye can both cause redness, watering, and irritation, but certain symptoms may point more strongly toward one or the other. 

Significant itching is especially common with allergic conjunctivitis. Allergy symptoms also tend to affect both eyes at the same time and may appear along with sneezing, congestion, or a runny nose. Viral conjunctivitis often causes watery discharge and may start in one eye before spreading to the other. Bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to produce thicker discharge or crusting around the eyelids.

Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Viral and bacterial forms of pink eye, however, can spread from person to person. Because symptoms can be difficult to distinguish on appearance alone, contact an eye doctor if they are severe, persistent, or accompanied by eye pain, significant light sensitivity, unusual discharge, or changes in vision.

What Nationwide Vision Looks for During Eye Allergy Exam

Eye allergy symptoms can overlap with dry eye, infection, contact lens irritation, and other eye conditions. During an exam, your Nationwide Vision doctor will evaluate both your symptoms and the health of your eyes to help determine what is causing the problem.   

Your evaluation may include:

• A review of your symptoms and triggers: Your doctor may ask when symptoms started, whether they are seasonal or year-round, if one or both eyes are affected, and whether you also have itching, tearing, redness, swelling or discharge. 

• An evaluation of the eye surface: The conjunctiva and cornea may be examined for signs of inflammation, dryness, irritation or other conditions that can mimic allergies. 

• A check for signs of infection: The type of redness or discharge you have can help your doctor determine whether viral or bacterial conjunctivitis may be a concern. 

• An eyelid examination: Swelling, inflammation and other eyelid conditions can contribute to itching and irritation. 

• A tear-film assessment: Dry eye can occur alongside allergies and may worsen burning, watering or discomfort. 

• A contact lens review: If you wear contacts, your doctor may evaluate your lens fit, replacement schedule and care routine to see whether they are contributing to your symptoms. 

• A review of current treatments: Your doctor may ask which over-the-counter drops, allergy medicines or other treatments you have tried and how well they are working.