Different Types of Allergies of the Eye and Relief form It

An eye allergy is defined as the hyper reaction of the immune system to foreign substances like pollen or mold spores, which may cause harm to your precious eyes. If your body is prone to allergies, activation of the immune response occurs which in turn results in the release of inadequate, high quantities of chemical mediators like histamine. These mediators are highly responsible for symptoms of all allergic reactions that cause harm to the eyes. If your eyes are itchy, red, tearing or burning, then you can confirm that you have been attacked by an eye allergy. It is a condition that affects millions of the people all over the world. Here is the information that helps you know the causes, symptoms, types and treatment for an eye allergy.

Causes of Eye Allergies

Certain factors are responsible for causing allergic reactions in the eyes. The following are the causative factors for eye allergies.

• Harmless substances that cause problems for individuals who are influenced by allergic reactions are called allergens. Airborne allergens that cause eye allergies are pollen, dust, mold and pet dander.
• Eye allergies can also be caused by hyper reactions of certain eyedrops or cosmetics including synthetic tears that are used for treating dry eyes that contain high preservatives.
• Irritants such as perfumes, diesel exhausts, and nicotine smokes causes eye allergies.
• Eye Allergies or Allergic Conjunctivitis are also caused by mild allergens like food allergies, allergic reactions to bee stings or other insect bites.

Symptoms of Eye Allergies

The following symptoms help you to determine whether you are attacked by any type of allergies of the eye.

• Red and irritated eyes
• Severe itching
• Swelling or puffiness of the eyes
• Running or Tearing eyes
• Light Sensitivity
• Burning, pain or soreness
• Discharge of Mucous

Different Types of Eye Allergies

Allergies of the eye are also known as “allergic conjunctivitis.” Like other allergic reactions, they are caused by the failure of the body’s natural defense mechanism, i.e., immune system. The following are the different types of allergies that are affecting the eyes are as follows:

1. Atopic Allergies

• Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis: It generally occurs in older people who had a history of atopic eczematoid dermatitis. It is not a seasonal allergy and if it is untreated, it can lead to extensive corneal and conjunctival scarring.
• Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: It is a seasonal recurring conjunctivitis that occurs mostly in children and teens. It appears in the later spring seasons and particularly in rural areas where dirt and warm conditions persist. This condition affects the peripheral cornea.
• Hay Fever Conjunctivitis: It is also known as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, and is a sudden onset allergy that responses to airborne allergens like pollen, dust, fog, Hay fever conjunctivitis tends to be episodic and short-lived.

2. Allergies Due to Medication Actions

• Anaphylactic (Ig E mediated response) is an intense and sudden reaction that often includes an urticarial response like intense itching and chemosis like conjunctival swelling. Common medications that lead to this condition are bacitracin, topical penicillin, anesthetics, and sulfacetamides.
• Allergic contact reactions are gradual onset responses that are caused by many topical medications.
• Toxic papillary reactions result in a chronic red eye condition that occurs at any time after the one-week usage of medications such as antibiotics, antiviral drops, and certain preservatives.

3. Contact Lens Related Eye Allergies

• Contact allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the contact lenses itself or the proteins from tears get bound to the surface of the lens, causes the irritation to the conjunctiva. As result redness, mucous discharge, itching and lens comfort persists.
• Giant Papillary conjunctivitis is a severe condition of eye allergy that causes major swelling of the mucous membrane of the upper lid and ultimately results in loss of the ability to wear contact lenses.

Relief Treatment for Eye Allergies

In order to get relief from itchy, watery and swollen eyes, you can follow these steps and use medications.

• Avoid Allergens: Those who are sensitive to common allergens have to limit their exposure to allergnes, and it’s better to stay indoors as far as possible. When you go outdoors during the cold season, it is recommended to wear wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from allergens like pollen, dust, ragweed,
• Safety with contacts: During allergy season, it’s better to remove your contact lenses because the surface of the contact lenses can trap and accumulate airborne allergens causing irritation to the eyes. Daily disposable contacts help you to avoid the build-up of debris or allergens on your lenses. So prefer single use lenses during that season.
• Immunotherapy: This is an excellent treatment in which an allergy specialist injects you with tiny amounts of active allergens to develop immunity in your body.
• Over the counter eye drops: For mild allergies, over the counter eye drops or non- prescription eye drops provide you an instant and temporary relief from redness, itchy and watery eyes caused due to allergies.
• Antihistamines: Antihistamines eradicate allergic reactions by blocking the binding of a substance that dilates the blood vessel walls called histamine to the cells in the body that enhances an allergic response.
• Decongestants: These help in shrinkage of swollen nasal passages for easier breathing. To relieve yourself from a red eye condition, this decongestant helps you reduce the size of blood vessels in the sclera region of the eye. The common decongestants that help you to get rid of red eyes are pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine.
• Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: The prescribed NSAID eye drops decrease inflammation, swelling and other symptoms that are associated with hay fever like seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
• Mast Cell Stabilizers: A mast cell stabilizer causes changes in mast cells that prevent histamine release and related chemical mediators of allergic reactions. In order to reduce the severity of future allergic reactions, this medication is used.

As prevention is better than cure, start an early treatment before the condition becomes worse. Talk to your eye care specialist to learn more about how to overcome your sensitivity to allergens and prevent eye allergies.