Many people are dealing with eye allergies. Symptoms of eye allergies or allergic conjunctivitis may include watery, itchy, red, sore, or swollen and stinging of the eyes. Itching the eyes is the biggest symptom of allergies in the eyes.

Without itching, it is not likely that a person is dealing with any type of allergy in the eyes. Both eyes are usually going to be bothered with this itching but one eye may be more intense than the other may.

Seasonal allergies of the eyes are very common.

It is the most common form of eye allergy that people suffer from. This type of allergy may come from the grass, ragweed, dust, or pollen that is in the air. Perennial allergies are also something that many have to deal with and the same with animal dander and dust mites too.

People react to dust and dirt differently and sometimes having an allergy to them will affect the eyes more than anything else will.

Eye Allergies, and How the Body Reacts to Them:

The most common notion about having allergies is that they would occur mainly in the skin, or break out in some other form, like having indigestion or something equally unpleasant.

But one thing that is often overlooked is the human eye since it too contracts allergic reactions quite easily. There are often symptoms that can let you know that you’re having an allergic reaction to a substance, identifying whether it’s from an allergy or something else that’s causing your eye irritation.

A lot of common symptoms can be associated with multiple diseases.

Itchiness in the eyes, redness, swelling, a burning sensation, can all possibly be part of some other disease. Another common sign is known as pink eye, which has the entire clear membrane of the white of your eyes going pink and possibly getting itchy as well. You can find out the source of the irritation if it’s from a viral, bacterial, or allergic source.

If it only affects one eye,

then the most likely cause is viral. A bacterial source of pink eye will also show because there is often a discharge coming out of the eye. However, if it’s not exclusively the eye that’s affected, then the source will most likely be allergic in nature. The doctor will most likely rule out all other possibilities once he or she finds out about the exact circumstances of the irritation.

Signs and Symptoms of Eye Allergies:

When you have eye allergies, the mast cells lining the conjunctiva release histamine when exposed to allergens and irritants. Those allergens and irritants cause the conjunctiva to swell and symptoms of eye allergies occur.

Common symptoms include:

• Red, irritated, teary, and itchy eyes.
• Burning
• Eyelid swelling
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light.

Hot, dry weather dries out the eyes and makes eye allergy symptoms worse.

Treatment depends on the severity and cause of symptoms. Identifying and removing the cause of allergic conjunctivitis, where possible, is ideal when an allergic cause has been confirmed from allergy testing. For example:

• House dust mite minimization measures in the bedroom (removing carpet, using barrier encasing of pillows and mattress, washing bedding in hot water).
• Removing the cat from the house in sensitive individuals.

It is also important to exclude the presence of a foreign body, such as dust, wood chip, or an insect/s. Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are generally mild to moderate and respond to bathing eyes with cold water, ice packs and cold water compresses. Topical lubricants can also help flush allergens from the tear film.

However, symptoms can sometimes be extremely severe and debilitating and require medication. Treatment options include:

I. Topical medications (eye drops):

• Antihistamine eye drops are effective but should not be used for longer than 6 weeks without medical advice.
• Antihistamine eye drops in conjunction with a vasoconstrictor minimize itch and remove redness, but should not be used for longer than 14 days without medical advice.
• Topical vasoconstrictor eye medications twice daily have minimal side effects, unlike nasal vasoconstrictor medications, but rebound vasodilation encourages overuse.
• Mast cell stabilizers are generally well tolerated, however, as they can take three to seven days to show an effect, they should be used to prevent symptoms before they occur and can be used as long as necessary
• Mast cell stabilizers/antihistamines are fast-acting, effective, and generally well tolerated.
• Steroid eye drops – are effective quickly in relieving symptoms, but are associated with cataract formation, glaucoma, and bacterial and viral infections of the cornea and conjunctiva. They should only be used short-term, only under medical supervision, and never in the presence of herpes infections.

II. Oral antihistamines (tablets):

help some people when avoidance measures are difficult. However, they may dry the eyes, nose, and mouth, and may cause blurred vision. Antihistamines are usually contraindicated in glaucoma and advice should be sought from an eye specialist.

Allergen immunotherapy for specific allergens may benefit people with persistent, severe allergic conjunctivitis. However, relief of eye symptoms takes longer than nasal symptoms.

Inflammation of the cornea can also be associated with allergy:

The cornea has very few blood vessels (that is why it is clear) and is seldom involved in an allergic reaction. However, there are a number of causes of small pinpoint defects in the cornea, a condition called epithelial keratitis, which is usually due to drug and chemical exposure, for example:

• Drug toxicity and drug allergy.
• Vernal (allergic) conjunctivitis.
• Contact sensitivity to topical eye medications such as neomycin, idoxuridine, atropine and derivatives, thiomersal, and some topical anesthetics. Specific conditions involving the cornea, which are associated with allergy are listed below.

A. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis:

• A combined inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea, most often associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema).
• Usually results in red, scaly, and weeping skin of the eyelids.
• Secondary infection with Staphylococcus aureus is common and may cause infection of the eyelash follicles.
• The:
• Conjunctiva may be swollen, red, and with a tenacious clear or pus containing discharge.
• The condition can persist for many years and causes severe photophobia, weeping, and itching.
• If the photophobia is severe, it can be difficult for people to open their eyes in direct sunlight.
• Conjunctival scarring may occur if the persistent condition is not treated properly.

B. Keratoconus:

• An inherited cone-shaped thinning of the cornea frequently associated with atopic dermatitis.
• Vision is distorted due to the varying thickness of the cornea.
• Contact lenses may be necessary, but they have particular problems in this condition.
• Rigid lenses are necessary for good vision, but they may irritate the inflamed conjunctiva.
• It is important to consult an eye specialist should this condition be suspected.

C. Atopic cataracts:

• May be associated with the severe form of atopic dermatitis in about 8-10% of sufferers.
• Occurs in children and young adults, even in the absence of steroid therapy.

D. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis:

Usually affects both eyes and is severe, occurring seasonally and mainly in children.

• Results in nipple-shaped protrusions on the inner aspect of the upper eyelid often described as cobblestones and stringy, tenacious mucus discharge.
• Frequently associated with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, or asthma.
• It may be associated with a single allergen but more usually with multiple sensitivities.
• Usually starts in late childhood and is more common in boys than girls.

However,

The prevalence equals in the twenties and is rarely seen after the age of thirty. It usually lasts from five to ten years.

• Rarely seen in cold climates, more often in tropical and temperate climates.
• Treatment consists of intermittent short courses of topical or systemic steroids, with ongoing topical cromolyn or antihistamine preparations.
• Sleeping in an air-conditioned room, ice packs, and cold compresses can help.
• Moving to a cool climate is desirable, if possible.

E. Symptoms may also be due to contact allergy

• Many cosmetics (especially nail polish), will cause a contact allergy of the eyelids, which may occur in only one eye.
• Other causes include antibiotics (particularly neomycin), and the preservative thiomersal (a preservative in eye drops).
• Some plants will also cause contact allergy, including Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’, African violets, and a number of bulbs. Since the Rhus tree has been declared a noxious weed the number of cases of this serious contact allergy has declined.

Usually,

• There is an initial improvement of the condition after prescribed eye drops are used, and then a continuing deterioration, only improved by ceasing the eye drops.
• Bathing the eyes with cooled boiled water will give comfort as the condition improves.
• A doctor will usually use patch testing to confirm the diagnosis and inquire about whether any non-prescribed or herbal drops have been used.

F. Contact lenses may cause symptoms:

• Giant Papillary and Giant Follicular conjunctivitis (GPC or GFC), can occur in contact lens wearers and is similar in appearance to vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
• It usually occurs in soft contact lens wearers, but is occasionally seen in hard lens wearers, and may be due to the lens material itself, or the lens cleansing material that contains thiomersal.
• Sometimes the condition improves with a decreased wearing time, occasionally changing the lens to another polymer, or soaking the lens in sterile water after an antibacterial solution.

I. Eye symptoms and anaphylaxis:

An allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis, the most severe form of allergic reaction) to a food, insect sting or bite, or medication may cause eye symptoms with swelling, itching, and redness of the conjunctiva and soft tissues around the eyes. Individuals who are at risk of anaphylaxis should be referred to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.

Eating foods containing monosodium glutamate or the preservative sodium meta bisulfite will occasionally cause swelling and redness of the eye. However, this is not a true allergic reaction and therefore symptoms will be less severe.