If you’re one of the estimated 20% of Australians that suffer with hayfever, Spring is not a time for celebration but rather a time of sneezing, mucous and the dreaded itchy eyes! Allergic conjunctivitis is the bane of many a hay fever sufferer so what is the best way to manage your itchy eyes?
1. Avoid your allergy triggers. Plants, grasses or pollens that trigger your allergy symptoms should be avoided. Try saving outdoor activities to evening or just before dawn when the pollen count is lower.
2. Keep allergens away. Regularly washing your face, hair and around your eyes, frequently changing your clothing and linen can help to remove the little allergen particles that accumulate.
3. Treat your itchy eyes with medication. Over the counter antihistamine eye drops can provide relief for the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Avoid using the “red eye” drops. These temporarily hide the redness without addressing the cause of your red, itchy eyes. For persistent allergy, use a mast cell stabiliser eyedrop leading up to and during spring to act as a preventative. These are available as a combination drop alongside an antihistamine.
4. Treat any concurrent dry eye disease. Having dry eyes will exacerbate your allergic conjunctivitis symptoms and our tears act as a natural means of flushing allergens out of our eyes. Watch out with taking oral antihistamines as these can cause dry eyes.
Book an appointment at Hansens Optometrists where we can formulate a personalised plan. We can prescribe more effective eye drops and treat other eye problems that might be masquerading as allergy symptoms.