Professional Care for Eye Allergies

Eye allergies are one of the most common complaints we see at Arena Eye Care Optometry in Sacramento. Many people experience some degree of allergies due to common substances like pollen, dust, and mold. The swelling, redness, burning, and itchy watery eyes can be miserable. So what’s causing this issue, and what can you do about it?

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What Are Eye Allergies?

Your immune system is designed to attack foreign substances, bacteria, and the like that are invading your body. However, sometimes it gets confused and reacts in the presence of relatively harmless substances. Pollen, dust and dust mites, mold, and smoke are some of the most common triggers for eye allergies. The eye comes into contact with a substance and the immune system reacts. That reaction creates the symptoms of eye allergies that you may know all too well. Common symptoms include:

  • redness
  • irritation and burning
  • itchy, watery eyes
  • swollen eyelids
  • sensitivity to light
  • a dry or gritty sensation when blinking
  • allergic conjunctivitis

What is allergic conjunctivitis? This is an inflammation of the membranes of the eye. It’s often confused with pink eye, but in this case, it is caused by allergies instead of an infection.

Home Remedies for Eye Allergies

For mild allergies, you may be able to find relief with some simple home remedies. First and foremost, wash your face, especially after going outside. This will rinse off any allergens on your eyelashes and skin. Rinse your eyes with eye-friendly solutions like saline drops. This can flush allergens away and reduce eye swelling. You can make a cold compress by soaking a washcloth in cold water and refrigerating it. Lie down with the compress over your eyes. The cold should reduce your swollen upper eyelids, lower eyelids, and itching.

Professional Care

More severe symptoms, or those that aren’t helped by home remedies, may require professional treatment. Your optometrist will examine your eyes and talk about what you’ve experienced. We will try to pinpoint exactly what you’re allergic to so that it can be eliminated or possibly reduced in some way. The eye doctor can prescribe allergy drops and medication if it is needed. Depending on what symptoms you’re experiencing, you may be prescribed any of the following:

  • artificial tears
  • steroid eye drops
  • eye drops for children

You may also need antihistamines and decongestants.

Your Sacramento Optometrist

If you continue to struggle with allergies, simple home remedies may not be enough. At Arena Eye Care Optometry, one of our eye doctors will discuss the issues you’ve been experiencing. With a combination of expert advice and possibly using prescription eye drops, we should be able to eliminate your eye allergies or at least reduce the symptoms significantly. Call us today at (916) 419-8167 to schedule an eye exam.

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Our Regular Schedule

Monday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday

9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Friday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

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