Is it seasonal allergies or dry eye?

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Every spring, allergy sufferers reach for eye drops and medications to soothe their itchy, watery eyes. But too often, patients confuse allergies with the condition known as dry eye. The symptoms of allergies and dry eye are similar, and studies show that dry eye cases peak with allergy season as well. However, treating dry eye with allergy medications can actually make symptoms much worse. By reviewing the differences between allergies and dry eye and proper treatment options, you can break the cycle of eye irritation and feel better during allergy season.

Dry eye vs. seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergies are most often caused by pollen from the buds of flowering plants, which is why spring is the prime season for them to appear. In addition to dealing with annoyances such as congestion, sneezing and headaches, many seasonal allergy sufferers also have itchy, red eyes. This is a response to the histamine that is released when the eye is sensitive to an allergen.

Taking antihistamines will block your body's response to allergy triggers, but they might also cause your eyes to make fewer tears. That can lead to dry, irritated eyes and worse symptoms of dry eye. Other symptoms of dry eye include redness of the eyes, burning, itching, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to visit your eye care provider for a proper diagnosis.

 

How dry eye affects your eye health

Dry eye is one of the most common eye conditions in the world. It occurs when the eyes produce poor-quality tears or not enough tears. While allergy season can worsen dry eye symptoms, there are many potential underlying causes, like certain medications, other environmental factors or wearing the wrong type of contact lens. Some sufferers experience dry eye because of their digital device viewing habits.

Ophthalmologists and optometrists measure the activity of the tear ducts to properly diagnose dry eye. Because there are many possible causes of dry eye, each with different treatments, professional examination is needed to ensure the best outcome. Treatment options include artificial tears, gels, eye drops or plugs inserted in the tear ducts. A newer treatment we offer at Florida Eye Specialists is LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation, which uses warm temperature and gentle massaging to open blocked glands. We also offer a treatment called AB Max, which is a deep cleaning of the eyelids done in-office. This can help with the symptoms of dry eye when associated with a common lid condition called blepharitis.

Protecting your eyes from dry eye and seasonal allergies

There are steps seasonal allergy sufferers can take to lessen symptoms, especially during the spring. Staying inside on windy days, changing your air filter and wearing protective goggles when doing yard work are all common ways to limit the amount of pollen you are exposed to.

Dry eye sufferers can also take these steps to help prevent symptoms, but a proper dry eye diagnosis and treatment is necessary for long-term relief. Make an appointment with a medical professional to determine the cause of your dry eye and make a custom treatment plan.

Kimberly Riordan, O.D., is the Dry Eye Center Lead at Florida Eye Specialists, and she practices part-time out of the Ponte Vedra office. For more information about the Florida Eye Specialists Dry Eye Center, visit FloridaEyeSpecialists.com/Dry-Eye-Center.