Eye allergies can cause itching or swelling and significantly affect your quality of life. At Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates in Columbia, SC, we provide eye exams to learn more about your condition and treatment to relieve your symptoms. Before visiting us, take a look at some frequently asked questions regarding eye allergies below:
What Causes Eye Allergies?
There are allergens that cause your eyes to react, such as dander, pollen, grass or perfume. These allergens can make certain cells in your eyes, known as mast cells, release histamine, along with other chemicals. As a result, your eyes can become red, itchy, or watery.
What Are the Symptoms?
If you have eye allergies, you may experience itching, burning, swollen eyelids, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
How Are Eye Allergies Diagnosed?
When you visit us, we will perform an eye exam to determine if you’re experiencing an allergic reaction or an eye infection. If there's discharge, then it could be from an eye infection and you would need medication to help you feel better.
What Treatments Are Available for Eye Allergies?
The most important thing to remember is that no matter how itchy your eyes may feel, you shouldn't rub them. That will just create more of the histamine and make your eyes more red. You can also put a cold compress on your eyes to soothe them use eye drops to reduce your symptoms. If these remedies are not effective, our optometrist can prescribe eye drops that can help you feel better.
How Can I Prevent Eye Allergies?
To prevent eye allergies, it is important to avoid going outside on days when pollen count is high. If you do have to go outside, you can wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from both pollen and the sun. Along with that, make sure to wash your hands immediately after playing with pets if you are allergic to pet dander.
Contact us for an Appointment Today
If you’re experiencing discomfort due to eye allergies, our team at Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates in Columbia, SC, can help. To learn about our treatments or to schedule an appointment, contact us at (803) 254-6306 today. When you need an optometrist near me, we are happy to assist you!
