Eye allergy

The use of eye drops and ointments to treat eye allergy is a local solution with a limited range of side effects. Some of these preparations require a doctor's prescription. You can avoid unnecessary trips outside the home during allergy seasons, and wear glasses that can provide some protection for the eyes, close the shutters on the windows of the home, clean the filters in air conditioners and clean the house and bedrooms daily.

Many people suffer from a variety of allergic phenomena, including eye allergy. In some people the allergy is seasonal and develops mainly during allergy seasons, while other people suffer from eye allergy throughout the year.

Causes of eye allergy

At the basis of the allergy phenomenon is a faulty response of the immune system to foreign bodies. This faulty response is a reaction against factors that are not considered harmful to the body, or an exaggerated reaction against those bodies, compared to people who do not suffer from allergy. Those foreign bodies are called "allergens", and among them can be found dust mites, plant pollen, fur and feathers of pets and more. Also, certain medications such as eye drops can trigger an allergic reaction to the substances in them.

Symptoms of eye allergy

The allergic reaction in the eye causes the development of inflammation in the conjunctiva of the eye and leads to typical signs of inflammation in the eye. A patient suffering from eye allergy may feel itching in the eyes, swollen/burning/red eyes and even tearing, swelling of the eyelids, pain and burning and, in unusual situations, sensitivity to light. Sometimes other signs such as a runny nose and an itchy throat accompany the phenomena in the eyes.

Types of allergic reaction in the eyes

As noted, most eye allergy phenomena are a seasonal inflammatory reaction of the conjunctiva of the eye. This inflammatory reaction is caused by the entry of seasonal allergens into the eye cavity, causing irritation of the eye, pain and excessive tearing.

Alongside it, there is also a chronic inflammatory reaction in the eyes. Chronic inflammation can be caused by prolonged exposure to dust, exposure to pets and other substances in the home. Such an allergic reaction persists throughout the year and is evident over a long period of time. This is considered an eye allergy that does not resolve on its own and it can be very disruptive.

Also, contact with the eye can trigger similar phenomena. For example, cosmetic preparations such as makeup and care products, ointments, creams and even perfumes are able to cause an allergic reaction in the eyes, mainly in people sensitive to these substances. In situations of an allergic reaction to care and makeup products, a rash can also be identified around the eye itself.

In certain cases, even prolonged use of contact lenses can create an allergic reaction in the eye, after which redness and irritation will appear in the eye area.

Treatment of eye allergy

The main role of drug treatment for eye allergy is to relieve the signs of inflammation, reduce the frequency of allergic attacks and prevent them. Among other things, preparations such as drops, ointments and tablets can be found for the treatment of eye allergy.

The use of eye drops and ointments to treat eye allergy is a local solution. Accordingly, the chance of a systemic effect of these preparations is small and they are characterized by a limited range of side effects. It should be noted that some of these preparations require a doctor's prescription, but most of them can also be purchased without medical approval. When choosing drops for eye allergy or ointments for eye allergy, one should consider the duration of the effect they provide, the way they are used and also the active substance in them. Most of the treatments that can be purchased without a prescription are for a short treatment duration only. These preparations relieve the sensation of itching, redness and swelling in the eye area and actually relieve the allergic signs.

There are different types of eye drops and ointments:

• For example, one can find eye drops containing antihistamines, which by regulating local inflammatory processes in the eyes bring about a relatively quick calming of the allergy signs.
• In addition to them, there are eye drops containing substances considered to be allergy stabilizers, but they are characterized by a delayed effect in relieving the symptoms.
• Beyond these two types of drops for eye allergy, there are eye drops containing steroids, which are given mainly in situations of chronic allergy in the eyes. It is important to note that their use is very short and it is advisable not to extend it beyond a few single days, since they may cause significant side effects. Steroid-containing eye drops should not be taken except on the instruction of a specialist ophthalmologist.
• Another type of drops for treating eye allergy is drops that constrict the blood vessels in the eye. Their use brings relief of symptoms but they should not be used for a prolonged period since they do not solve the inflammation and allergy problem.
• There may be patients who, instead of tearing, mostly feel dryness in the eyes, so preparations for the treatment of dry eyes and tear substitutes can be used.

Similar to drops that constitute a solution and treatment for eye allergy, tablets of antihistamines can also reduce the sensation of itching in the eyes and reduce the other allergic signs as well. These tablets are usually given in situations where the patient suffers from more than one allergic condition (such as a skin allergy or allergic rhinitis) and it is not customary to give them as a treatment for those suffering from eye allergy alone. These tablets do not act quickly and are characterized by various side effects. There are tablets that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription and others that require a prescription.

When treatments such as drops, ointments and tablets fail and do not succeed in bringing about a significant reduction in the allergy or curing it, the use of immune treatments for allergy or anti-allergy injections can be recommended.

Prevention

In order to prevent allergens from entering the eyes, you can avoid unnecessary trips outside the home during allergy seasons, and also wear glasses that can provide some protection for the eyes. You can also close the shutters and clean furniture that has accumulated dust that may fly around the space of the home. It is recommended to frequently clean the air conditioner filters and the bedrooms thoroughly, including carpets, curtains and pillows.

Also, in order to avoid an allergy caused by the use of cosmetic products or contact lenses, you should reduce the frequency of their use and, as far as possible, stop it completely. It is also recommended to maintain orderly and quality eye-cleaning hygiene.

Summary

If you suffer from eye allergy, you should consult an ophthalmologist and begin monitoring the inflammatory signs. You should avoid rubbing and scratching the eyes, which may damage the cornea of the eye and vision.

It is important to characterize the cause of the allergy and understand what causes it, in order to treat the condition properly and appropriately. For example, the treatment of seasonal inflammation in the eye consists of treating the allergy attack alongside preventing its recurrence, by preventing exposure to the allergen and by treatment with the appropriate medications.

Of course, the eye drops/ointments/tablets should be used regularly and consistently according to the instructions. As noted, there are treatments that bring about an effect very quickly and there is a temptation to stop treating with them earlier than appropriate, but it is important to remember that in order to achieve optimal effectiveness and to prevent eye allergy, treatment must be persisted with.

If an unusual phenomenon is observed following the use of preparations for the treatment of eye allergy, you should consult a doctor to receive instructions.