Are your eyes red and irritated, and you feel like there’s something in them – but you can’t find it? It could be eye allergies, which can occur on their own, without any sniffling, sneezing or runny nose symptoms.
How do you know if eye allergy is to blame for your uncomfortable vision? Book an eye exam with our expert eye doctor in North Edmonton, Downtown Edmonton, or Sherwood Park, Alberta. We’ll perform a thorough check of your eyes, inspecting for the typical signs of eye allergy.
What are the usual eye allergy symptoms?
The most common symptoms of eye allergy include:
- Redness
- Itching
- Swollen eyelids
- Burning sensation
- Watery eyes
- Grittiness in your eyes
- Light sensitivity
If you suffer from the above, it’s likely you have eye allergies. However, our optometrist cautions against assuming that these symptoms are definitely caused by an eye allergy. All of these complaints could also point towards a different medical condition that requires professional assessment and treatment from your eye care provider. The most helpful treatment for you can only be determined after you receive an accurate diagnosis!
You were diagnosed with eye allergy. Now what?
The frontline approach for managing eye allergy is to avoid the allergens that trigger your symptoms. How can you do this? Our eye doctors in North Edmonton, Downtown Edmonton, and Sherwood Park share the following tips:
- Stay indoors as much as possible, especially when pollen counts are at their peak
- Don’t use window fans that pull pollens and molds indoors
- Wear glasses or sunglasses when outside; this minimizes the pollen that gets into your eyes
- Don’t rub your eyes, which can exacerbate your condition
- Keep windows closed and use air conditioning; be sure to clean your a/c filters regularly
- Reduce exposure to dust mites by using mite-proof covers for bedding
- Minimize exposure to mold by keeping humidity levels in your home low, and clean your kitchen and bathrooms regularly.
- Clean floors with a damp mop or rag, instead of sweeping or dry-dusting
- Always wash your hands immediately after petting animals; wash your clothing after visiting any homes with pets
What treatments are there for eye allergy?
Because many allergens are airborne, they can’t always be avoided. Sometimes, treatment is necessary in order to manage eye allergy symptoms and restore comfortable vision.
Possible treatments include:
- Non-prescription eye drops, such as artificial tears, can offer short-term relief of symptoms
- Prescription eye drops and oral medications, including antihistamines, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and mast cell stabilizers, can be used to treat eye allergy.
- Corticosteroid eye drops can help treat severe eye allergy that is chronic
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy) can help improve your tolerance to the allergen. This treatment must be done gradually for maximum results.
Don’t simply wait for the season to end or for allergens to disappear so your eyes feel better! Our eye doctor in North Edmonton, Downtown Edmonton, and Sherwood Park can help alleviate your symptoms with expert eye allergy management and treatment.
At Village Eye Centre, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 587-410-5920 or book an appointment online to see one of our North Edmonton eye doctors.
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