Do You Have Dry Eyes or Allergies?

There are many different types of eye problems, but with some causing very similar symptoms, it’s not always easy to know exactly what is happening with your eyes and what you can do to alleviate the effects that you are experiencing. Two eye conditions that share many symptoms and that are often confused with one another are dry eyes and allergies. While your eye doctor can give you a definitive diagnosis as to which you are affected by and advise you which treatments are available, it helps to know the differences between them too.

Here's what you need to know about dry eyes and eye allergies, and what you can do if you are affected.

Eye allergies

Allergies are extremely common, but most eye allergies are seasonal, meaning that they are triggered during certain months of the year. The reason for this is that the allergens that cause them are more prevalent during that time. For example, people who have allergies to flower pollen are most affected during the spring and summer, when flower pollen levels are at their highest. Meanwhile, tree pollen allergies are often worse in the autumn months.

Allergies happen when the body perceives as usually harmless substance as a hostile invader and protects itself against it by releasing a chemical called histamine. Histamine is great at fighting off allergens, but it also causes a range of symptoms that we most associate with allergies including itching, swelling, and excessive watering of the eyes. Other respiratory allergy symptoms often accompany those that affect the eyes, such as a runny nose, sneezing, or cough.

Treating Eye Allergies

Fortunately, there is a range of effective treatment options for eye allergies. The first line of treatment usually involves a course of antihistamines, combined with artificial tears to help keep the eyes lubricated. You’ll also be advised to avoid wearing contact lenses while your symptoms are particularly irritating. However, the best thing that you can do is to try and avoid contact with the allergen as much as possible, such as by wearing protective eyewear or keeping windows closed. Your eye doctor will be able to advise you of the best preventative measures you can take to avoid eye allergy symptoms.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes take their name from the main symptom experienced by those who suffer from the condition – eyes that feel dry and dehydrated. Dry eyes happen when there is a problem with your tear film – your body might not make enough, the quality may be compromised by not enough oil (meibomian gland dysfunction) or it might drain off of the surface of the eyes too quickly. Without enough tear film, patients can experience itching, grittiness, sensitivity to light, redness, blurred vision, and even an increased likelihood of infections like conjunctivitis. This is because tear film is essential for washing away harmful microorganisms like viruses and bacteria that could invade the eyes and make us sick.

Dry eye can be caused by many things, from excessive screen time, hormonal imbalances and dehydration, to taking certain medications such as antidepressants and contraceptives. Dry eye is also a common side effect following LASIK laser vision correction.

Treating Dry Eyes

There are also several treatments for dry eyes. Most of these focus on targeting inflammation and blockages in the tear ducts which may be contributing towards a lack of tear film or poor tear film quality. You will likely be prescribed anti-inflammatory eyedrops along with using artificial tears to provide additional hydration and lubrication.

If the glands responsible for tear film production are thought to be blocked, using warm compresses and gentle massage can break down hardened deposits and improve the quality of tear film. This can be done manually at home or using a thermo-pulsation treatment like Lipiflow which does this on your behalf while you relax.

If your tear film is draining too quickly, artificial tears can help keep the surface of the eyes moist, while tiny devices called punctal plugs can be used to block drainage channels and keep tear film on the surface of the eyes for longer.

If you have questions about eye allergies or dry eyes, visit Focus Family Eyecare in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Call 918-252-0438 to schedule an appointment today.