If your eyes frequently get red, itchy, and watery, you may be dealing with eye allergies. Our optometrists at Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA, have extensive experience treating eye allergies and their symptoms in those with and without corrective lenses. Keep reading for answers to some frequently asked questions about eye allergies.
What Causes Eye Allergies?
Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when your eyes react to something you are allergic to, like pollen or dust mites. These allergens trigger your immune system to release histamines, causing inflammation, irritation, and other bothersome symptoms.
An optometrist near you like Lock Family Eye Care can help identify potential triggers of your eye allergies through testing. This allows us to provide the most effective treatment plan, including itchy eye treatments.
How Are Eye Allergies Diagnosed?
During a comprehensive eye exam, our West Des Moines, IA, eye doctors will look for telltale signs of allergic conjunctivitis. These include redness, swelling, watery discharge, and itching.
We may use eye drops to look for specific allergic reactions. Skin testing can also help pinpoint problematic environmental allergens. Our optometrist will determine the best testing based on your symptoms. This testing is critical to providing effective treatment.
What Is the Best Eye Allergy Treatment?
Avoiding exposure to irritating allergens is the first and most effective line of defense. Other treatments may include using high-quality air filters at home, wearing wrap-around sunglasses outdoors, and washing bedding regularly in hot water. Medications can also provide eye allergy relief.
Antihistamine eye drops work fast to reduce itching and redness. Our eye doctors may recommend combining these with prescription anti-inflammatory drops for more stubborn eye allergies. Oral medications provide additional relief in severe cases.
How Can I Get Relief from Itchy Eyes?
Itching is one of the most annoying eye allergy symptoms. Using refrigerated artificial tears can provide temporary cooling comfort. A cold compress placed over closed eyelids for 10 minutes can also soothe itchiness.
For lasting relief, antihistamine eye drops curb the allergic response that triggers irritating histamines. Talk to our West Des Moines, IA, optometrists about allergy eye drop options to banish itchy eyes.
Can Eye Allergies Cause Long-Term Damage?
While eye allergies will not directly impair vision or damage the eyes, constant rubbing due to itching can potentially cause problems. Allergy eye drops help control the urge to rub your eyes. Proper treatment also prevents complications like eye infections that could occur when the eyes are inflamed.
Make an Appointment with Our West Des Moines, IA, Optometrists Today
Schedule an appointment with our optometrists near you at Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA, today for comprehensive eye exams. Whether you need a contact lens exam or allergy eye exam, we are here for you. We will evaluate your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan for fast eye allergy relief without complications. Call us at (515)-267-1312 to make an appointment.
