Eye Allergies

Ahh spring. The sun is back. Flowers are blooming and looking beautiful. Things are looking up! But then, the pollen… Soon the sneezing begins. Red, watery eyes start to make an appearance. Eyelids can get puffy and itchy. Not fun. 

Allergies can wreak havoc on our poor eyes. So, what are eye allergies anyway? Eye allergies are very common. It occurs when an allergen (or substance that causes an allergic reaction) essentially revs up our immune system to fight off this “foreign substance”. The body can do this in different ways, but the eyes have their own special way of reacting. This can result in what we call allergic conjunctivitis.

What usually causes eye allergies? There are many different things that the eyes can be allergic to. The most common culprits include dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, etc. 

Common signs and symptoms of eye allergies can include watery eyes, redness, itching, swollen eyelids, etc. In other words, your eyes just feel like junk. 

In order to provide proper treatment, your eye doctor will check to differentiate if have an eye infection or allergic conjunctivitis. This can usually be easily diagnosed during an eye exam using a very cool instrument called a slit-lamp microscope. (Eye doctors have all the cool gadgets, by the way.) Then, depending on the severity of the situation, we might recommend helpful over-the-counter items or even prescribe you some meds to help you out.  

All in all, spring is wonderful in Boise, but eye allergies can be a real bummer. Take care of your eyes this spring and if you need us, Elevate Eye Care is here for you! ❤️