HEALTH & MEDICINE :: JUNE/JULY 2008
Red, Teary Eyes from Seasonal Allergies Can be Soothed
Are you sneezing and congested? Are your eyes watery and red? Perhaps you have seasonal allergies. About 20 percent of adults and children in the United States suffer from allergies. It’s the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States.
Part of allergy suffering can include red, teary eyes or painful inner eyelids. This can be associated with seasonal springtime allergies, or even summer and fall allergies. Red, watery eyes, inflamed inner eyelids, blurred vision, a scratchy feeling in the eyes, and sometimes a puss-like or watery discharge can also be related to cosmetic, animal or fabric allergic reactions as well. However, eye inflammation or conjunctivitis can have other causes and need to be diagnosed before treatment begins.
The three main types of conjunctivitis are allergic, infectious and chemical. There are numerous drops available to treat the symptoms of ocular allergies which may not respond to oral allergy medications. The infectious type, commonly called “pink eye,” is caused by a contagious virus or bacteria. Infectious conjunctivitis, caused by bacteria, can be treated with antibiotic eye drops. Other forms, caused by viruses, cannot be treated with antibiotics. They must be fought off by your body’s immune system. Drops can be given to alleviate most of the symptoms. Irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine in swimming pools may produce the chemical form of conjunctivitis.
For contact lens wearers, allergy season can present a more difficult predicament. Airborne allergens can get on your lenses, causing discomfort. Allergens can also stimulate the excessive production of natural substances in your eyes, which bind to your contacts and also become uncomfortable. Another alternative for dealing with allergies and irritated eyes is opting to use daily disposable contact lenses, which are discarded nightly. Because these lenses are replaced each day, irritating deposits cannot build up over time and cause or heighten allergy-related discomfort.
So be sure to ask your eye doctor about all of your contact lens options when deciding which lens is right for you. And if you begin to experience more severe allergy symptoms, consult your physician.
Dr. Pendse is part of a thirteen-physician team at Delaware Ophthalmology Consultants. For more information about this article or to schedule an appointment, call 302-479-EYES (3937) or visit www.delawareeyes.com.Delaware Ophthalmology Consultants has two convenient offices in Wilmington, and a third now open in Middletown. Each location offers full-service optical centers featuring affordable, fashionable frame designs and the latest in lens technology.
