Facts about Eye Allergies

Eye allergies are significant, since so much depends on the ability to see clearly. Our eyes may over-react to substances that seldom bother most people such as; pollens, pollutants and dust in the air, pet dander, and some medications. Other causes include, contact allergic conjunctivitis, caused by contact lenses and/or the tears the lenses ride on when they are inserted on the eye. These can irritate the conjunctiva. Occasionally, it can be a more extreme case of Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis, where the mucous membrane of the upper eyelid is swollen.

Antibiotics and other medications have also been known to cause conjunctivitis. If you know that your eyes are irritated by a medication you are using, contact the doctor who prescribed it and tell him exactly what is happening. Stopping the medication may be the best thing to do.

The usual symptoms of conjunctivitis are itchy redness, and there may be noticeable puffiness around the eyelid. There are many substances that irritate our eyes but they are not usually considered to be allergens. These include, cigarette smoke, perfume and diesel exhaust.

Substances that irritate your eyes may also irritate the sinuses behind the nose, thus causing a runny, stuffy nose and make breathing difficult. Vision may also be blurred, and one may also experience an increased sensitivity to light and have the feeling that there is something caught in his eye that he cannot get rid of. Many people also experience blurred vision.

Allergic Conjunctivitis is commonly known as pink-eye. The pink lining inside the eyelid, which you can see when the lid is gently pulled back from the eye, is called the conjunctiva. The lining can become inflamed either due to infection or to an allergic reaction.

Often, an infection will show up in only one eye, whereas an allergic reaction is usually seen in both eyes. The lids will be itchy and the conjunctiva will be red. The eyes will be watering heavily. This is a natural response the eyes have to rid themselves of irritants that could be dangerous. However, the eyeball itself may become swollen, causing the vision to blur.

With an infection there will often be pus on the surface of the eye that will have the effect of sticking the eyes closed, giving one a sense that his eyes have been glued shut during the night while he slept. But most noticeable of all will be a burning sensation that may be intense.

The best treatment is to avoid the irritants as much as possible. This may include investing in an air purifier for your home. Some medications are helpful. Simple saline eye-drops can be bought at the drug store without a prescription. These mimic the action of tears and help wash the irritating matter out of the eyes. Eye drops with antihistamines and decongestants are also available.

A clean, cool wet washcloth can be held over the eyes for a few minutes at a time, as often as one wants, to help clean out the irritants and relieve irritation. Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen help relieve inflammation. Air filtrations systems help clear out dust and pollens inside the house, so that there is at least one area that is reasonably free of such irritants. In some cases, skin allergy relief can be obtained by using Dead Sea salts.