When allergies arrive on the surface of your eyes, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as itching, swelling, and redness in the eyes. In addition to visiting your eye doctor, the following advice will help to reduce your symptoms. 

Do:

Find the source of your allergies.

Whether you’ve suffered with eye allergies for years or this is your first time experiencing discomfort, finding the source of the issue will go a long way in alleviating symptoms. A skin patch test is an option to determine the exact causes.

It is helpful to also pay attention to when your symptoms are at their worst. If you’re experiencing symptoms inside, you may be reacting to pet hair or dander, dust mites, or mold. If your eyes are swollen or red when spending time outdoors, pollen in grasses, weeds, and trees may be to  blame.

Bring this information to your eye doctor so you can take the next step in eliminating your symptoms. 

Use artificial tears.

Artificial tears lubricate the surfaces of your eyes and can dilute and clear out allergens. If you suffer from itching and swelling, consider refrigerating your artificial tears and applying them cold. 

If artificial tears aren’t providing sufficient relief, your eye doctor can recommend or prescribe a more effective medication. 

Try to avoid rubbing your eyes.

As tempting as it is to scratch and rub your eyes, this will only lead to further irritation. In some cases, your symptoms may indicate more than standard eye allergies.

If you have also noticed any discharge, you might have an infection. Consult your Optometrist before the condition worsens or spreads to both eyes.

Avoid window fans. 

While window fans are a convenient way to cool your home, they may also bring pollen and mold inside, exacerbating your allergy symptoms. For an allergy-friendly fan, use a standing fan with a HEPA filter, which will remove allergens from the air.

For eye allergy relief, visit the experienced eye doctors at Allens Creek Family Optometry in Rochester, NY. Their experienced optometrists, Joan Kaplow, O.D., Jennifer Bateman, O.D. and Arian Farrands, O.D. employ the latest technology to perform eye exams. In addition to glasses and contact lenses, they also offer Vision Therapy services to help with vision-related learning problems, and more. Call (585) 461-6225  to schedule an appointment with one of their reputable doctors. Go online to learn more about their vision exams and other services.