Symptoms-and-Treatment-for-Eye-Allergies

Eye allergies, also called ocular allergy or allergic conjunctivitis occurs when certain substances or allergens irritate the conjunctiva. Conjunctiva is a delicate membrane that covers the eye and the inside of the eyelid.
As in all allergies, eye allergy starts when your immune system identifies a substance as an allergen. The immune system thus overreacts and produces antibodies known as Immunoglobulin (Ige). The antibodies travel to cells of the eye causing the cells to release chemicals which cause an allergic reaction with symptoms.

The symptoms of Eye Allergies are:

1. Watery eyes
2. Itchiness
3. Red eyes
4. Swollen eyes
5. Sensitivity to light
6. Eye fatigue

Treatment options include:

Avoid allergens
This is the key to treating eye allergy. For example if pollen is the allergen, avoid going out in summer and spring when pollen counts are high.

Use of artificial tears
Artificial tears help to temporarily relieve eye allergies. They work by washing away allergens from the eye. Artificial tears also help relieve dry, irritated eyed by adding some moisture to them. They are available over the counter.

Use of antihistamine eye drops
Antihistamine eye drops treat eye allergies. They work by neutralizing the effect of immunoglobulin. And thereby reduce the symptoms.

Lastly, it is best to visit a doctor in case you have any of the above eye allergy symptoms so that the doctor will determine the best treatment and the right dose to administer.

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