The Best Allergy Eye Drops for Contactsand How to Treat Eye Allergy Symptoms
Every year, more than 50 million Americans experience allergies. Allergies are no fun. Anyone experiencing itchy eyes, frequent sneezing and sore throats can attest to this. What’s worse is that people with allergies are "more likely to develop allergic conjunctivitis," or eye allergies.
If you struggle with seasonal allergies, it's important to know what triggers them, especially if you wear contacts. Happily, you can combat pesky allergens with simple tactics like using allergy eye drops for contacts—and learning how to prevent symptoms before they start.
What Are Common Eye Allergy Symptoms?
Eye allergies are common. In the United States, approximately 40% of the population is affected by allergic eye disease. Here’s a list of the most common eye allergy symptoms:
Red Eyes
Red eyes result from inflamed blood vessels on the eyes’ surface, typically from direct exposure to an allergen. Rubbing your eyes, wearing contacts for too long and increasing screen time can all worsen red eyes.
Teary Eyes
Teary eyes are a sign the body is trying to relieve dryness in the eye or remove particles and irritants, often a response to seasonal allergies. When persistent, they may indicate more significant issues, so see your eye doctor if your eyes are teary for more than a few days. If you have additional seasonal allergy symptoms like sinus or nasal congestion, you may want to see an allergy specialist.
Itchy Eyes
Itchy eyes occur when histamines are released around the eye as the body responds to an allergen like pollen, dust or dander. Itchy eyes can worsen with wind exposure or touching the eyes.
Puffy, Sore or Swollen Eyelids
Allergies can contribute to puffiness, soreness or swollen eyelids. This symptom can sometimes be a result of a lack of sleep and is also a natural part of aging.
Blurred Vision
Those who suffer from seasonal allergies might be at increased risk of developing blurry vision. When you have eye allergies, particles can get stuck in your eye. When they do, blurred vision can intensify.
Dark Circles Around Eyes
If you develop allergy-related nasal congestion, you may also notice dark circles around your eyes. The increased pressure in your nose can result in blood pooling in the delicate blood vessels under your eyes, which can make the surrounding area appear dark.
The Best Allergy Eye Drops for Contacts
Using allergy eye drops for contacts can help protect your eyes against harmful substances, reduce inflammation and keep your vision healthy when wearing contacts.
Antihistamine Eye Drops
Antihistamine eye drops block histamines released by your immune system. They help with itchy, red and watery eyes. These eye drops are generally safe to use with both hard and soft contact lenses. It’s recommended that you apply the drops without your lenses and then wait a few minutes before putting them on.
Decongestant Eye Drops
Also known as whitening eye drops, decongestant eye drops can temporarily help treat eye redness by narrowing your blood vessels. Be sure to speak with an eye doctor before using these eye drops, because overuse can result in dryness and irritation. Like antihistamine eye drops, you should take out your contact lenses before applying decongestants.
Artificial Tears
Artificial tears lubricate your eyes and help maintain moisture on their surface. They can be used to treat dryness and itchiness and are available over the counter. There are artificial tears available for use with your contacts, so be sure to selects products and brands that specify they are dry eye drops for contacts.
There are two types of artificial tears:
- Preservative tears: These drops often come in multi-dose bottles and contain preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria after opening them. Be advised that the preservatives may increase the likelihood of harmful effects on your eye. Therefore, it’s recommended that you use them no more than four to six times daily.
- Preservative-free tears: Those with moderate to severe dry eyes should use preservative-free tears because they contain fewer additives. You should discard these within 24 hours of opening them to prevent bacterial growth. These tears reduce the likelihood of harmful effects (especially for those who need artificial tears frequently throughout the day).
Anti-Inflammatory Eye Drops
If you’re seeking eye drops for itchy eyes, go with anti-inflammatory eye drops. There are two types:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These eye drops affect your specific nerve endings, meaning they change the way your body makes you feel itchy. Keep in mind, you might feel some stinging or burning when you first use them.
- Corticosteroids: These eye drops can provide relief for irritated and red eyes. They are only used to treat severe eye allergy symptoms. Prolonged use is not recommended.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
When you’ve tried all available eye drops for contacts and your allergies haven’t gotten any better, ask your doctor about daily disposable contact lenses. As indicated by their name, these lenses are disposed of every day. These lessen your exposure to allergens and may alleviate symptoms. In addition, they provide a very comfortable wearing experience!
Clean and Disinfect Your Contact Lenses
When dealing with allergies and contacts, cleanliness is key. It’s crucial to follow a cleaning regime, especially if you’re wearing contacts for the first time. Cleaning gets rid of the allergens on your lenses and protects your eye health.
How to Prevent Seasonal Eye Allergies
Even if you don’t wear contact lenses, you’re still susceptible to seasonal allergies. Here are our tips to prevent allergies before they take over. The good news is that some of these tips work well for winterizing your eyes as well.
Clean Your Home
If you’re spending a lot of time indoors, you may want to do a deep clean to make sure your home is free from allergens like dust and dander. A good recommendation is to dust your fans, clean your carpets and wipe down all surfaces. Finally, it’s a good idea to replace your air filters regularly.
Wash Your Bedding
If you wake up feeling your allergies are worse, the culprit might be in your pillowcase! Try switching your bedding out for hypoallergenic sheets and washing all bedding regularly with scent-free detergents designed for those with sensitivities.
Limit Time Outdoors
When outdoor time leads to sneeze attacks and runny eyes, try limiting the time you spend outside. Check your local weather report and stay inside when there is poor air quality or high allergen counts.
Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands can help reduce allergy symptoms by removing another source of exposure. If you find that playing with pets triggers your allergies, try washing your hands after playtime to see whether that helps reduce symptoms.
Don’t Rub Your Eyes
Never rub your eyes, even if they are itchy! Rubbing your eyes brings them into more direct contact with allergens and bacteria and may increase irritation. When you have the urge to rub your eyes, try using eye drops or closing eyes for a minute instead.
Limit Time with Animals or Pets
If pet dander is your allergy trigger, the only solution may be to reduce the time you spend around them. Bathing pets regularly using special shampoos can also help—ask your vet for recommendations. If you can’t avoid contact with animals, consider seeing an allergy specialist.
Keep an Allergy Journal
Keep track of allergy symptoms to see patterns. By recording what you were doing and where you were during an allergy flare-up, you’ll have a better idea about the source of the problem and how to reduce it.
Use Natural Products
Chemical-based products can elevate the risk of allergic reactions. If you’ve noticed itchy or puffy eyes after introducing a new product, try eliminating it to see if there’s an improvement.
How to Treat Eye Allergy Symptoms
Sometimes you can take every preventative measure and still experience eye allergy symptoms, particularly during allergy season. Here are a few measures you can take to alleviate eye irritation so you can enjoy clear vision and prevent interruptions in your day.
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Use Eye Drops
Eye drops can help reduce eye itchiness and irritation, and some eye drop brands provide up to 24 hours of relief with just once-a-day use. If you wear contacts, you’ll want to check the description before purchasing, because some types of eye drops require you to wait 10 or 20 minutes before putting in your contacts again.
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Wear Hypoallergenic Makeup
If makeup is an important part of your beauty routine, use hypoallergenic makeup around your eyes. Hypoallergenic makeup lacks the ingredients commonly known to be a source for allergic reactions.
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Use a Cold Compress for Your Eyes
If your eyes become red or swollen, don’t panic! Gently place a cold compress on your eyes to help relieve discomfort. A compress can help constrict your blood vessels and ease swelling and redness.
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Antihistamines
Antihistamines help combat histamines, substances produced when allergens react with the body. Over-the-counter antihistamines can offer quick relief for all sorts of allergy symptoms, including itchy eyes.
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Consult Your Eye Doctor
If allergens persist, make an appointment with your eye doctor, who can assess factors that may be contributing to your eye allergy symptoms.
Is There a Connection between Allergies and Light Sensitivity?
You may be at an increased risk of developing photophobia (light sensitivity) if you suffer from seasonal allergies. After developing allergic conjunctivitis due to allergens such as pollen, your immune system releases antibodies. Once antibodies are dispatched and chemicals are released, you can become susceptible to an allergic reaction.
If this process ends up affecting your eyes, you might experience light sensitivity. However, light sensitivity can also develop because of other conditions unrelated to allergies.
Here are some additional health-related conditions that can elevate the risk of light sensitivity:
- Migraines
- Head trauma or concussion
- Keratitis
- Uveitis
- Corneal abrasion
What Can Put You at Risk for Eye Allergies?
To prevent and relieve seasonal eye allergies, identify factors that may heighten the risk of eye allergies. Pay attention to how you feel outdoors versus indoors. Outdoor allergens can stem from pollen, grasses and trees. Indoor allergens can flare up from exposure to pet dander, dust mites and mold. Some people react to specific triggers like cigarette smoke or perfume.
Eye allergies respond to seasonal outdoor changes, indoor home environments—even slight variations in routine. Pinpointing the risk factors allows you to develop a plan for treating allergies.
Do Glasses Help with Allergies?
Wearing glasses is a great way to reduce the likelihood of developing seasonal allergies because they help keep dust and pollen away from your eyes.
Contact lenses, on the other hand, cannot protect you against airborne allergens. Nothing beats the barrier provided by a pair of glasses.
What Is the Difference Between Eye Allergies and Eye Infections?
Allergies and infections are not the same condition. The difference has to do with the reasons behind these conditions.
As you have already learned, eye allergies occur because of allergens in the environment and pet dander. Your eyes react to allergens that become trapped in your eyes.
Eye infections are a separate issue. They occur because of bacteria, viruses and parasites. Unlike eye allergies, infections can be contagious. If you suspect you have an eye infection, get medical care as soon as possible.
Common eye infections include:
- Pink eye: This condition occurs when the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid suffers from inflammation.
- Keratitis: Keratitis can develop if you’re exposed to bacteria in water. When this happens, your cornea becomes inflamed, and you may experience swelling or redness in your eyelids.
- Endophthalmitis: If you come in contact with bacteria or a fungal infection, you may become at risk of developing endophthalmitis—inflammation of your eyeball.
Protect Your Eyes Against Seasonal Allergies with an Eye Exam
Don’t let seasonal allergies stand in your way of optimal eye health. With these preventative techniques, you can keep your vision clear so you can work and play with ease. Another way to keep your eyesight healthy is to prioritize eye exams. Find your nearest Visionworks location to schedule your annual eye exam.
Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
