What Can I Do About Allergies and Dry Eyes This Spring?

For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, springtime blooms mean red, itchy, watery eyes, and blurred vision. But if your symptoms linger before or after allergy season (or feel more intense than usual), it might be more than allergies. You could be dealing with dry eye disease, a condition that’s often worsened by spring allergens.

We’ve gathered some easy and effective tips to help you enjoy the best of the spring 💐.

👒Wear Sunglasses and a Hat! Shield your eyes from pollen and UV rays by wearing polarized lenses and a brimmed hat when you’re outdoors.

🧼 Wash Your Hands Regularly. Spring allergies can make it tempting to rub or itch your eyes. Washing your hands frequently can help prevent the spread of infection.

👀 Adopt a Gentle Eye Care Routine. Keep your eyelids clean with a mild, hypoallergenic cleanser. Use compresses to soothe swelling and irritation, whether caused by allergies or dry eye. Regular eye hygiene can be a game-changer during allergy season.

🍽️ Add Allergy-Friendly Foods. Boost your diet with Omega-3 rich foods like salmon and walnuts, and Vitamin C-packed fruits. These can reduce inflammation and help combat allergy symptoms. Staying well-hydrated also prevents dry eye symptoms.

👁️ See us for relief from itchy eyes! Topical antihistamine or lubricant eye drops can offer effective relief of eye allergy symptoms by washing away irritants and lubricating dry eyes. Schedule an appointment to  us in person to learn about the products we have available.

🧽 Minimize Allergens in Your Home. Vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, using an air purifier, and washing your clothes and linens regularly can protect you and your family from allergens in the home.

👀 Keep Your Contact Lenses Clean! Remember to clean and replace your contact lenses frequently. Consider switching to daily disposable lenses, to prevent the accumulation of pollen and other allergy-causing debris.

When It’s More Than Just Allergies: Dry Eye Disease

If you’re experiencing burning, stinging, excessive tearing, stringy mucus, or blurry vision, and these symptoms stick around outside of allergy season, you may be dealing with dry eye syndrome. This condition can stem from digital device use, age, hormonal changes, medications, and more.

🌿 Spring allergens can aggravate an underlying dry eye condition, making your symptoms feel worse than usual. Thankfully, there’s help available.

Book a Dry Eye Consultation Today

Our team at Royal Oak Optometry specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eye disease. Book a consultation to get personalized care and lasting relief.

👉 Visit our Dry Eyes Consultation page to learn how to get started.

source: https://www.seeintl.org/eye-care-tips/