What is Eye Allergy? 

Allergic eye disease or Eye Allergy is a condition where one’s eyes react to substances that they are over sensitive to. Medically known as allergic conjunctivitis, the outer transparent layer of the eye called conjunctiva and eyelids can become red, swollen and itchy.

What are the symptoms of Eye Allergy?

The most common symptoms of eye allergy are:

• red, swollen eyes
• Itching of the eyes
• Burning or tearing pain in the eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Watering of eyes
• Those who suffer from eye allergies, tend to have nose allergies as well and may have symptoms like stuffy itchy nose, sneezing, or itchy, sore throat with coughing.

What causes Eye Allergy?

When one has an allergy, it means that one’s immune system is reacting to substances which usually do not cause any trouble to most other people.

These allergy causing substances are pollen, dust, smoke, pollution, cosmetics, pet dander, diesel exhaust etc. Once this allergy causing substance comes in contact with special immune cells called the mast cells, these mast cells react by releasing a chemical called histamine. This chemical causes tiny blood vessels in one’s eye to leak making the eyes red, itchy and watery.
Environmental causes like change in climate or increase in heat in the summers may predispose some individuals to allergy in these seasons.
Some people tend to inherit the genes for eye allergies from their parents, which is especially true if both the parents have an eye allergy. Children and adolescents are affected more by allergies in general.

How is Eye Allergy diagnosed?

Eye specialists are usually able to diagnose eye allergy from the signs and symptoms itself. An eye
doctor performs a slit lamp microscope examination to check for signs of eye allergies. Sometimes,

eye allergy symptoms can be quite similar to some other eye diseases. Hence, an eye specialist may scrape a small area of the outer layer of the eye and test the tissue for a specific type of blood cells.

What is the treatment for Eye Allergy?

An eye specialist will prescribe medications and eye drops including artificial tears, decongestants and antihistamines to treat eye allergy. Dr. Prachi Agashe, Pediatric Ophthalmologist in Mumbai says, “The first step to treating eye allergies is to identify and avoid contact with the agent that
triggers your allergies”. If one has not been able to identify the triggering agent, skin or blood tests
can help identify them.

How can one prevent Eye Allergy?

If one is allergic to pollen, avoiding stepping outdoors without sun glasses helps. Mid-morning and early evening are the times of the day when pollen are most commonly found. Keeping the windows of one’s car
and at home during these high pollen periods will also reduce exposure to pollen.Regularly cleaning air conditioners are important so that they don’t cycle allergens within your home.

If one is allergic to dust, regularly changing one’s
bedsheets and pillow covers and washing them in hot water will help reduce exposure. One can prefer wet mopping over dry sweeping to trap dust or pollen or pet dander.

If one is allergic to pet dander, not allowing the pet in the bedroom is important. Washing one’s hands after touching one’s pet should be done, as far as possible. Avoid keeping carpets at home which can become storage places for pet dander.
One should avoid rubbing one’s eyes too much when they get itchy. This only triggers the aforementioned mast cells to release more chemicals that cause the itch. Avoid using eye makeup too. A cold compress can be a quick fix before stepping out outdoors.

Also remember to wash hands often because we inadvertently do tend to touch our eyes.

Dr. Prachi Agashe, Pediatric eye specialist in Mumbai advises, “While some over-the-counter medications are okay to be used for short term problems, others maycause harm if used for too long. In India, we tend to keep taking the previous prescription or simply ask thepharmacist. As eye allergies tend to be a recurring or long drawn condition, it is best to visit your eye doctor orpediatric eye specialist before one keeps taking any
medications.”