With spring right around the corner, many people will be looking forward to the warmer temperatures, colourful blooms and baby wildlife.
Now is a good opportunity to educate ourselves on a condition that is very common at this time of year – eye allergy. The clinical team at Mortimer Hirst is here to help you get on top of your eye allergies this season.
What is eye allergy?
Eye allergy is also known as allergic conjunctivitis. It occurs when a person’s immune system over-reacts to a substance (allergen) in the environment. When the allergen enters our body, a chain reaction of events takes place. Special cells, called mast cells, release a chemical called histamine. This leads to inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin tissue that covers the white part of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelids. Seasonal allergens such as pollen and mould spores are a common cause of allergic conjunctivitis. Dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens can cause allergic reactions year-round.
What are the symptoms?
In addition to the common allergy symptoms of sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose, a person with allergic conjunctivitis may experience any number of the following:
Redness of both eyes
Itching of both eyes and the surrounding tissues
Excess tearing or a watery discharge
Puffy or swollen eyelids.
Allergic conjunctivitis will usually affect both eyes at the same time because it is a response to an allergen in the environment. It is not contagious so cannot be spread from one person to another. Normally the eyes will produce a clear, watery discharge as part of the allergic response. If there is a pus-like discharge that makes the eyelids sticky, it is more likely to be a bacterial infection, which is very contagious. If you experience atypical symptoms, for example blurry vision or redness affecting one eye only, it is important to seek advice from an eye care professional, such as an optometrist at Mortimer Hirst.
How can this be treated?
Avoid the allergen – the best way to control allergy is to minimise your exposure to the allergens you are sensitive to. A consultation with a doctor who specialises in allergies may be useful to identify what substances you are allergic to. If plant pollen is a trigger for you, a good pair of wraparound sunglasses can help to shield your eyes from pollen exposure when outdoors.
Don’t rub your eyes! – When the eyes are itchy your first instinct is to rub them. You must resist the urge to do this because rubbing stimulates the mast cells to release more histamine, making your symptoms worse.
Remove contact lenses – You may find your contact lenses become uncomfortable during a flare up of allergies. Switching to glasses and giving your eyes a rest from contact lenses can help relieve symptoms. Even with regular cleaning, contact lenses can get deposits and a build up of allergens on the lens surface. Your Mortimer Hirst optometrist can assess if your eyes would be suitable for daily disposable contact lenses that are discarded after a single use. This decreases the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
Cold compresses – Applying an icepack for short periods will help soothe the eyes and reduce swelling. Lubricating eye drops can be stored in the fridge and used when needed. The cold drops will moisturise the eyes and wash out allergens.
Medicated eye drops – After assessing your eyes, an optometrist at Mortimer Hirst is able to prescribe medicated eye drops to help control your allergies. One of the most effective eye drops available contains a combination of an antihistamine and a mast cell stabiliser. This can be used to relieve symptoms and as an allergy preventer. An anti-inflammatory eye drop can be prescribed for cases of severe itchiness.
Limit the use of decongestant eye drops – These are often marketed as eye drops for “red eyes” and are available over-the-counter. They work by constricting the blood vessels, making the eyes appear white. This is useful as a once off (e.g. when attending a special event) but using decongestants for more than 2-3 days can cause a rebound effect and your eyes will become more red after using them.
Allergic conjunctivitis is a common condition that can affect any one at any time. Symptoms can be minimised with appropriate management.
Book a consultation with an optometrist at Mortimer Hirst for a comprehensive assessment and tailored management plan.
