Are seasonal allergies driving your eyes (and you) crazy?
For a large number of Americans, spring is less about blooming daffodils, new grass and beautiful dogwoods than it is sniffling, runny noses, and watery or irritated eyes. If your eyes are experiencing the less than desirable side effects of the spring season, there a few methods that the staff at Doctors for Visual Freedom in Chicago recommend to help you deal with it:
- Find out what you’re allergic to. Simple allergy skin-prick tests performed by your physician can help you determine what exactly is bothering you the most.
- Antihistamines. Available in pill and liquid form, antihistamines work by blocking histamine to relieve water, itchy eyes. Some may cause drowsiness so be careful not to drive (or operate heavy equipment) if you’re take antihistamines. There are less drowsy antihistamines available so check your pharmacy.
- 3. Eye drops. There are antihistamine eye drops on the market too. These types of eye drops work well for itchy, watery eyes. You may need to use them several times a day, but don’t use the over-the-counter kinds for more than 2-3 days. They are often combined with other kinds of drops, including some that shrink swollen blood vessels in your eye. You shouldn’t use these kinds of drops (often labeled as decongestant drops) for more than a few days at a time. Don’t use them at all if you have glaucoma.
- Rinse your eyes with water or apply a cold, wet washcloth.
- Try wearing sunglasses outside to help block some of the pollen.
- Avoid wearing your contact lenses during high pollen periods.
- Try not to rub your eyes when they itch (hard to do, we know). It only makes the irritation worse.
