Allergies and the Eye

With spring time approaching we are faced with pollens and other allergens. Allergens such as pollen, pet dander and mold do not only affect the nose and throat. The eye is an open, moist area on the face and foreign particles or allergens adhere to the ocular surface. This can cause an allergic reaction in the eye exactly the same way that those substances do in the nose and throat.

The most common eye allergy is Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis. Both eyes are usually affected with allergic conjunctivitis. The symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include, redness, burning and itching, clear, water-like discharge and swelling of the eye membranes.

The symptoms are seasonal and go away with other allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itchy nose or scratchy throat. The conjunctivitis will persist until the offending allergen goes away. Symptoms are likely to reappear at the same time every year.