Eye Allergies

If you can’t manage the persistent itching and watery eyes that allergies cause, you can find help at VistaSite Vision Center. Tatsiana Palavets, OD, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye allergies, focusing on increasing your comfort and clearing your vision with medicated eye drops and other therapies. Call the office in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, to schedule a consultation for eye allergies or book an appointment online today.

What are eye allergies?

Allergies are an overreaction by your immune system to harmless substances in your environment. When you come into contact with an allergen, your body produces a histamine that triggers a series of symptoms, including those that affect your eyes.

Common allergens include:

• Dust
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Cigarette smoke
• Strong-smelling perfumes

Certain foods can also contribute to an allergic reaction.

When should I schedule an evaluation for eye allergies?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at VistaSite Vision Center if you have eye allergy symptoms you can’t manage on your own. These symptoms can include:

• Redness
• Itching
• Burning
• Mucus discharge
• Excessive tearing

In addition to eye symptoms, allergies can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, and a runny nose. In some cases, these symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with your quality of life.

Your provider learns about your health history and lifestyle to determine what’s causing your allergic reaction. They may recommend allergy testing to identify the substances you’re allergic to and can customize a care plan to better manage eye allergy symptoms.

How are eye allergies treated?

Your treatment plan for allergies depends on the severity of your symptoms. VistaSite Vision Center may recommend treatments like:

Oral medications

Oral allergy medications contain an antihistamine to ease eye tearing, sneezing, and other allergy symptoms.

Immunotherapy

If oral allergy medications don’t work well, you may benefit from immunotherapy. This treatment involves a series of injections of a small amount of known allergens. Exposing your immune system to allergens reduces your body’s reaction to the substances.

Eye drops

To soothe and lubricate your eyes, your provider may recommend over-the-counter or prescription eye drops. In some cases, you may need medicated eye drops to reduce the eye inflammation that allergies can cause.

Your provider can also recommend ways to reduce your exposure to allergens. For example, be sure to keep your windows closed during days when the pollen count is high. You should also regularly clean the air filters in your home and vacuum your carpets thoroughly.

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at VistaSite Vision Center for symptoms of eye allergies, or book an appointment online today.