Fall allergy season is almost here and that means red itchy eyes for many of us. Fall and Spring are typically the worst time of year for eye allergies in Florida, but allergy sufferers can be affected any time of year. In addition, indoor allergies from dust mites and animal dander can present a year round problem. Avoidance of allergens is recommended, however it is not always practical (see link below). Fortunately there are other steps you can take to make your eyes more comfortable.
The hallmark of eye allergy is itching. Redness and tearing are also common. Unlike in nasal allergies, oral antihistamines are of little use. Instead, antihistamine eye drops are the mainstay of treatment. Some of the newer antihistamine eye drops last 12 to 24 hours. The newer ones also prevent the allergy in the first place ( called mast cell stabilization). However, many of these can be expensive.
Many patients get adequate relief from over-the-counter antihistimine eye drops. These have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and safe. However, the relief doesn’t last that long. Use of “get the red out” drops is discouraged because this can cause the redness in the eye to actually get worse. Eye lubricant drops (artificial tears) can also help by washing allergy causing particles from the eye.
When over the counter eye drops don’t quite cut it, then prescription-only antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer eye drops are the next step. Rarely steroid eye drops can help but need to prescribed and monitored by a physician.