Eye Allergies

Eye allergies cause redness, itching, and irritation whenever you suffer exposure to an allergen like dust, pollen, mold, or pet dander. If you develop eye allergy symptoms, talk to fellowship-trained ophthalmologist Dr. Yufei Tu of New York Eye and Glaucoma Specialist PLLC: Yufei Tu, MD in the Flushing district of Queens in New York City. Dr. Tu offers comprehensive care that relieves the frequency and severity of eye allergy attacks. Call Dr. Tu’s office or request a consultation online today to find relief from your eye allergy symptoms.

What are eye allergies?

Eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis) are an overreaction by your immune system to substances (allergens) that get in your eyes. Common allergens include:

• Pollen
• Mold spores
• Dust and dust mites
• Pet dander

The eyes provide an easy access point for allergens and irritants. If you have eye allergies, your body responds to one or more allergens by releasing chemicals like histamines that produce inflammation in the conjunctiva.

Conjunctiva is the tissue lining the inside of your eyelids and the outside of your eyeballs. It helps keep your eyeball and eyelid moist. Eye allergies develop when this tissue becomes inflamed. They usually cause symptoms in both eyes rather than just one eye.

What symptoms do eye allergies cause?

Common eye allergy symptoms include:

• Redness
• Itching
• Burning sensation
• Watery eyes
• Swollen eyelids

You might feel like you have dirt or grit in your eyes. Allergies can also give you a runny or itchy nose, make you sneeze and cough, and trigger a sinus headache. Your vision may blur briefly, and you might feel tired, distracted, and unproductive.

Other things that can cause similar symptoms include dirt, smoke, chemicals, medications, and cosmetics. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) can also cause eye allergy symptoms but results from a bacterial infection rather than an allergic reaction.

How are eye allergies treated?

If you have eye allergies, it’s vital to avoid exposure to the substances that trigger an allergic response as much as possible. That might mean staying in when the pollen levels are high, treating your home regularly for dust mites, and avoiding contact with furred animals.

However, it’s often impossible to avoid these widespread allergens altogether. You can use saline eye drops to wash the allergens away if you get an allergy attack. You could also try over-the-counter medicines or eye drops short-term.

Dr. Tu provides prescription treatments for eye allergies. You might also benefit from immunotherapy (allergy shots) to provide long-term relief. These work by introducing minute amounts of the allergens that affect you into your body regularly over a long period. The continual, controlled exposure helps to reduce your immune system response.

If you suffer from eye allergy symptoms, visit New York Eye and Glaucoma Specialist PLLC: Yufei Tu, MD, for an expert assessment and effective treatment. Call Dr. Tu’s office to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online today.