What can I do about eye allergies? Optometrist explains

For 35-year-old Matt, eye allergies are a regular occurrence. 

"I get redness, itching and irritation," Matt says. "And they get very dry. I even find that in the morning, if I have a hot shower, I'll get itchy eyes."

Matt's allergies come and go throughout the year. "But I mainly get them in spring," he says. 

Matt is not alone in suffering through spring. Many of us battle ocular allergies during the springtime, as flowers bloom and spread pollen into the air.

So, what exactly sets our eyes off – and what can you do about it? We asked an optometrist to explain.

What causes eye allergies?

You know the symptoms: redness, watery eyes, itchiness, swelling of eyelids, sore eyes, tired eyes and even vision impairment. They're eye allergies – also known as allergic conjunctivitis – and there are a few different causes.

"There are two types of allergic conjunctivitis most people deal with – seasonal and perennial," Specsavers optometrist Greeshma Patel says.

"The seasonal variety usually affects people in the spring or autumn seasons and is triggered by the presence of allergens in the air, such as grass and pollen." 

That's your standard run-of-the-mill hay fever – the kind that might also have you sneezing and sniffling.

But some of us are unlucky enough to battle eye allergies all year round which is known as perennial allergic conjunctivitis. Those always-present allergies are triggered by other things.

"Just as other parts of your body can break out in an allergic reaction to a certain irritating substance, so too can your eyes," says Greeshma. "Ocular allergies occur when an allergen causes the conjunctiva to become irritated. This is when the conjunctiva (the thin membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the inner eyelids) overreacts to a substance it meets."

Common triggers for those year-round allergies include pets, dust, makeup or perfume.

Okay, so what can I do about it?

"The best form of treatment is prevention," says Greeshma. 

"If you know you are susceptible to perennial allergies such as dust, you can take steps to remove allergens in your home by vacuuming and dusting regularly." 

In the springtime, "close your windows to reduce the likelihood of pollen and other allergens coming in from outside".

"Wearing sunglasses outdoors can act as a barrier to irritants to the eye, as well as protecting your eyes from UV damage from the sun," Greeshma says.

Of course, not all allergens can be avoided. When eye allergies strike, there are a few ways you can treat them. Greeshma recommends keeping eye drops and antihistamines on standby. 

"You could also use a cold compress to bring some relief," she adds. That could mean placing a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel gently on your closed eyes, or even just resting a cool, damp cloth on your face. 

Greeshma's final, very sensible piece of advice?

"Resist the urge to rub your eyes." Easier said than done.

At Specsavers, your care is our business. For more information or to book an appointment visit www.specsavers.com.au/stores.