Allergies Specialist

What are the symptoms of eye allergies?

Allergies are a common cause of eye symptoms, including all of the following.

• Red eyes
• Bloodshot eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• Burning eyes
• Sensation of foreign bodies in your eyes
• Mucus eye discharge
• Swollen eyelids
• Light sensitivity

When symptoms are especially bad, you may be very uncomfortable, or possibly even have outright eye pain, until you get help.

Why do I have eye allergies?

There are many possible causes of eye allergies. Usually, eye allergies come from the same sources as respiratory allergies.

• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Mold
• Dust mites
• Smoke

In most cases, airborne substances trigger eye allergies, but there are also other possible triggers. For example, if you’re allergic to pet dander and you pet your cat, then later rub your eyes without washing your hands, it could cause serious symptoms almost immediately.

Although it’s not very common, it’s possible to develop eye symptoms from an allergen that never came in contact with your eyes, either by air or touch. For example, you could have eye allergy symptoms after an insect sting.

How are eye allergies treated?

Eye allergy treatment at Great Neck Opticians starts with careful documentation of your symptoms and issues. The more detail you can give Dr. Pinkhasova or Dr. Tamayeva when describing your allergies, the better. It’s especially vital to note the timing of your symptoms because it often reveals the allergy source.

The most troublesome eye allergy symptoms are often well managed with prescription eye drops. It’s important to use them as directed. With consistent use, you’ll see a major change in symptoms over time.

Often, you can also make some changes at home to keep eye allergies under control. This might mean changing your air filters more often, washing your hands more often, and using anti-allergen pillow protectors on your bedding.

At Great Neck Opticians, Dr. Pinkhasova or Dr. Tamayeva encourage patients to document changes with photos, and the doctors also take photos during eye care visits. It’s amazing to see how your eyes can go from chronically red and puffy to healthy and clear through photo documentation!

Use the online scheduler or call Great Neck Opticians to get eye allergy relief now.