Eye Allergy

Are you one of the 50% of the population who suffer from allergies? Do you have red, itchy, watery eyes? If so, you may have ocular allergies.

As anyone who suffers from these knows, allergies can ruin a week, a month or even the entire year. While seasonal allergies are common in the spring and fall months, ocular allergy symptoms can actually bother people throughout the year.

Many causes of ocular allergies hide in the everyday environment. From the moment a contact lens goes in in the morning, ocular allergies can start acting up. Hair from a cat, the pollen from a flower in the vase on the kitchen table, and the dust sent off by opening a newspaper can all cause red, itchy eyes.

Where do we find relief? First, always change out contact lenses at least twice a month. Over-the-counter artificial tears also work well to help wash out the pollen if used at least four times a day.

Beware of using drops that claim to "get the red out" since those contain medication only to mask, not treat, the symptoms. If all the above efforts still do not calm the itch, call an eye care provider and inquire about a safe and effective prescription drop to take care of ocular allergy symptoms.

Dr. Judy Liao is a graduate of the School of Optometry at the University of California at Berkeley, a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a clinical attending professor at the Southern California College of Optometry.

Source: RefillPill.com Editors' Choice