Is It Dry Eyes or Allergies?

Eye discomfort is one of the most bothersome health issues to combat. Dry, itchy, watery, burning eyes are incredibly distracting. As much as you try to deal with the symptoms, it’s difficult to ignore the feeling of something stuck in your eye! However, it can be challenging to determine if its dry eyes or allergies. 

Dry eye and eye allergies are two common eye conditions seen in optometry patients. Both conditions affect millions of individuals a year. While the two conditions share similar symptoms, eye allergies and dry eye have different underlying causes. Let’s discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options of these two conditions so you can tell if its dry eyes or allergies that are bothering you. 

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome? 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition that affects 4.88 million Americans a year. This ongoing eye condition can last weeks or months at a time, even returning after symptoms improve. The source of the problem is the tear film, layers of mucus, water, and oil that sit on the surface of your eye. Dry eye results if each layer doesn’t produce enough moisture to keep your cornea in balance. 

While many people with dry eyes can find relief by changing their environment, others have a genuine medical condition that requires ongoing treatment. Let’s look at the symptoms, causes, and treatment for dry eyes. 

Symptoms of Dry Eye  

If you have dry eye syndrome, you may notice some or all of the following symptoms:

• Fluctuating vision
• Burning, itching, or stinging sensations
• Heavy eyes
• Watery eyes
• Trouble focusing on daily tasks
• Night vision problems
• Discomfort when wearing contacts
• Light sensitivity
• Red, sore eyelids
• Mucus secretions coming from the eyes

Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

Before treating dry eyes, you need to identify the cause. Treating the root cause of your condition will result in a permanent solution to your problem and eliminate your symptoms. The most common causes of dry eye syndrome include:

• High blood pressure prescriptions like beta-blockers and diuretics
• Sleeping pills
• Anxiety medications
• Antihistamines
• Diabetes
• Wearing contacts
• Living or working in a dry or smoky environment
• Eye surgery such as LASIK or PRK
• Autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome

Treatment Options

If you think you have dry eye syndrome, contact an eye doctor for your treatment options. Your eye doctor will ask about your medical history, perform an eye exam, and measure the quality of your tear film. If you are diagnosed with dry eye syndrome, your treatment options can be broken down into five main categories:

• Increase tears
• Maintain tears
• Trigger tear production
• Heal inflammation
• Increase Meibomian gland function 

Mild cases of dry eye may require a simple treatment option, such as artificial tears and other products such as eyelid cleansers, eye masks, and Omega 3s. More severe cases may require prescription eye drops or prescription anti-inflammation medications. 

What Are Eye Allergies?

If your eyes are red, itchy, and irritated without apparent cause, you may suffer from eye allergies. Eye allergies are also known as allergic conjunctivitis but are not contagious like other forms of conjunctivitis. In some cases, the symptoms can be so severe that you rub your eyes until damage occurs. 

When you have eye allergies, you may also notice puffiness around or underneath your eyes. Some people even get dark circles under their eyes called allergic shiners. Symptoms can occur independently or be accompanied by sneezing, a stuffy nose, and other common signs of allergies. Let’s look at the symptoms, causes, and treatment for allergic conjunctivitis. 

Symptoms of Eye Allergies

If you have allergic conjunctivitis, you may notice any or all of the following symptoms:

• Red, irritated eyes
• Itchiness
• Redness
• Burning
• Clear, watery discharge
• Swollen eyelids
• Sensitivity to light
• Soreness or pain

Causes of Eye Allergies

For many ophthalmology patients, eye allergies are seasonal. You may notice more symptoms in the spring or fall when the presence of seasonal triggers exists. Other causes of eye allergies can aggravate your eyes year-round. The most common causes of allergic conjunctivitis include:

• Outdoor allergens such as pollen from grass, trees, and ragweed
• Indoor allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, and mold
• Irritants such as cigarette smoke, perfumes, and other fragrances

Treatment Options

The best way to prevent eye allergies is to limit or eliminate exposure to whatever you’re allergic to. Since this isn’t always possible, other treatment options include:

• Oral antihistamine medications
• Over-the-counter eye drops
• Prescription eye drops
• Artificial tears
• Cold compresses
• Allergy shots

You can also make changes to your environment or routine to avoid triggers. Lifestyle changes for eye allergy management include:

• Keeping windows closed tightly during high pollen seasons. 
• Using air conditioning in your home or car during high pollen seasons. 
• Wearing glasses or sunglasses outdoors to avoid pollen. 
• Using mite-proof bedding covers to limit exposure to dust mites. 
• Using a dehumidifier to control mold. 
• Washing your hands after touching animals. 

Contact Your Local Eye Doctors for Help

If you are suffering from dry, itchy eyes, you need a solution to ease your discomfort. Whether you have dry eyes or allergies, an eye doctor can diagnose your problem and find the right treatment option to eliminate your symptoms. 

At MyPEAR, we offer a simple 5 question Dry Eye Quiz that helps you determine the severity of your symptoms and whether you are using the right products to help find relief.