‘Tis the season! How to handle ocular allergies

Are you one of the many seasonal allergy sufferers in Louisiana? Seasonal allergies can bring along not only coughing and sneezing, but also red, itchy, and watery eyes. You may treat your allergies with oral antihistamines, nasal sprays or allergy shots, but did you know there are also specific treatment options available for ocular allergies?

The first step in treating ocular allergies is to confirm that your symptoms are truly being caused only by environmental allergens. Red, itchy, watery eyes can develop not only from allergies but also from severe dry eye, contact lens related disorders, and various infections. Sometimes it can even be a mixture of these! We always recommend seeing us for a quick medical visit to make sure you are implementing the appropriate treatment for your particular condition.

Once we have confirmed ocular allergies, treatment will vary depending on your findings. For mild cases, a cold rag over the eyes and avoidance of the offending allergen may be all that’s necessary. For more severe cases, the most common form of treatment is a topical eye drop.

Allergy eye drops are available as either an over-the-counter formulation or as a prescription. They cannot be used with contact lenses so they must be inserted at least 5-10 minutes before contact lens wear. For episodes of severe allergies, or in cases where dryness or infection may also be present, you may not be able to wear your contact lenses at all until your symptoms are under control.

It is important to note that allergy eye drops may cause burning upon instilling. This sensation typically only lasts for about a minute or so, but if you have discomfort that lasts longer than 5 minutes, please contact us!

When it comes to treating ocular allergies, be sure to nip it in the bud! Call our office today to schedule an appointment!