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7 Tips for Taking Care of Your Eyes During Allergy Season

Mar 09, 2023

The Spring Doesn't Just Bring Beautiful Weather

Is there anything worse than allergy season? You’ve just survived another winter and the doldrums that accompany it, and just as soon as the weather gets nice enough to enjoy, mother nature deploys clouds of pollen and your immune system goes haywire.


Allergy season is miserable, especially for those who suffer from eye allergies. Eye allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, can cause symptoms such as itching, redness, and tearing, which can be frustrating and uncomfortable. 


We’ve got your back. While springtime might have your eyes redder than a clown’s nose, there are fortunately several steps that you can take to mitigate pollen’s assault. Let’s take a look at seven tips from the pros for taking care of your eyes during allergy season.

baby closing eyes around flowers

1. Avoid allergens

As obvious as it might sound, the best way to prevent eye allergies is to avoid allergens that trigger them. Pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander are common allergens that can cause eye allergies. People with allergies should try to avoid these allergens as much as possible by staying indoors when pollen counts are high, using air filters and purifiers, and keeping pets out of the bedroom. We recommend using pollen tracking apps on your smartphone to stay informed about days when the outdoors is a no-go.

man with tissue

2. Keep windows closed

Keeping windows closed can help prevent allergens from entering the home and triggering eye allergies. When the air outdoors is drowning in pollen, it’s important to make sure your home is as allergen-free as possible to give your eyes a break. If you need fresh air, consider using an air conditioner or a fan to circulate air. If needed, you can also use a humidifier to keep the air moist, as dry air can worsen symptoms of eye allergies.

woman's eye with water falling on it

3. Don’t overuse eye drops

Over-the-counter eye drops can help relieve symptoms of eye allergies, such as itching, redness, and tearing. There are several types of eye drops available, including antihistamine drops, decongestant drops, and lubricating drops. That being said, using them too much can be really bad for your eyes, and might even exacerbate symptoms with overuse. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out which type of eye drops is best for you.


4. Use cold compresses

Cold compresses can help relieve itching and redness caused by eye allergies. People can use a cold washcloth or a cold compress to gently press against their closed eyes for a few minutes at a time. It feels great, too!

sunglasses

5. Cleanse eyelids

Cleansing eyelids can help remove allergens and other irritants that can cause eye allergies. People can use a mild soap and water or a special eyelid cleanser to clean their eyelids. They should gently rub their eyelids with a clean washcloth or cotton swab and rinse with water.


6. Wear sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses can help protect the eyes from allergens and other irritants that can cause eye allergies. People should choose sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection and wrap around the sides of their face to prevent allergens from entering the eyes. If you can’t beat allergies, at least try to block them!

pollen

7. Come see us

If symptoms of eye allergies persist or become severe, people should seek medical help. There’s absolutely no reason to just suffer through allergy season without the help of a doctor. Though eye allergies typically won’t be severe enough to send you to the ER, it’s always advised to get the opinion of a professional.

In addition to these tips, there are several other good habits that can help people take care of their eyes during allergy season, including:



  • Avoid rubbing the eyes, as this can cause further irritation and inflammation.
  • Wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of allergens and other irritants.
  • Keep contact lenses clean, as allergens can accumulate on them and worsen symptoms of eye allergies. 


Look, allergy season is the worst, and there’s no getting around that fact. But that being said, there are ways to make it less awful. If you need some more tips or are looking for medical help with your eye allergies, give us a call today so that you can meet spring head-on.

daisy
pollen in yard
man wearing glasses
ice cubes
dog wearing sunglasses
flowering tree

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Pay Attention to What Your Eyes are Telling You Disease of the eyes can affect anyone, young or old. As vision is one of your most valuable assets, it’s essential to stay well informed. Eye disease can often have no visible signs, so it’s important to identify the symptoms and seek medical advice from an optometrist if you experience any of them. Here are ten common symptoms that may indicate a potential eye condition: 1. Blurred vision Blurred vision or a sudden change in vision can be a sign of an underlying eye problem. While many people’s vision may worsen naturally, it’s important to see an eye doctor to be certain it isn’t a symptom of eye disease. 2. Flashes or floaters These are small spots, specks, lines, or cloud shapes that appear in your vision. Flashes or floaters may be caused by retinal detachment, vitreous detachment, inflammation inside your eyes, or other problems with the vitreous humor, the gel-like substance found inside your eyes.

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It Might Be Time to Move On So you’ve got these glasses that you’ve had forever. You don’t love them, but you don’t hate them either. You can see alright, but maybe it seems like that myopia might be slowly creeping back into your field of vision. They’re in pretty good shape, but there’s one or two blotches on them that just don’t seem to buff despite your best efforts. In short, you’re in a strange limbo where you feel like it might be time for a new pair, but you’re just not sure. Luckily we’re here to make it a little easier for you. Here are our top five signs that you need new glasses.

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By Bob Hansen • 15 Dec, 2022
Improve Your Health Regular eye exams should be a part of everyone’s healthcare routine, and not just to protect your vision. While it’s true that checkups from your optometrist can catch the early signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, eye exams are remarkably effective at detecting so much more. Many of these diseases can be life-threatening, so early detection and treatment is vital. Let’s take a look at five diseases and health conditions that may be detected during your routine eye exam.

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By Bob Hansen • 01 Dec, 2022
Finding New Frames Doesn't Need to be a Hassle We’ve all been there before. You’ve got a new prescription or maybe you’re replacing your old pair of glasses and suddenly you are confronted with a wall of frames and you suddenly have to decide what your face is going to look like with your glasses for the next couple of years. It’s daunting and exhausting and the last thing you want is to make the wrong decision. Don’t you worry, we’re here with you to help you choose a pair of frames that you’re going to love. We’ve compiled a list of five factors that you should consider when picking your new frames that will make the task feel less herculean.

What Should I Do if My Child is Nervous About an Eye Exam

By Bob Hansen • 18 Nov, 2022
Anxiety is Normal Going for a trip to the doctor of any type can be a really stressful experience for kids. They have to break from their normal routine, travel to an unfamiliar place, interact with unfamiliar people, and might find what goes on quite unpleasant. It’s completely normal, but it can put parents in the difficult position of putting their children through something they don’t want to do and might feel great apprehension about. Many parents might feel at a loss for what to do, so we’ve compiled a list of advice for parents whose children are feeling anxious about their eye exam.

Is It Time for an Eye Exam?

By Bob Hansen • 03 Nov, 2022
Your Vision is a Priority Let’s start this off by saying that if you can’t remember your last eye exam, it’s time to get one scheduled as soon as possible. For the rest of us though, it can be difficult to know the telltale signs that you should have your eyes checked or the frequency with which you should get a check up. We’ve compiled a guideline here to help you know when to get that appointment booked so that you won’t find yourself wondering, “Is it time for an eye exam?”
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