An Overview of Eye Allergies

In this article

• Causes of Eye Allergies
• Eye Allergy Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care for Eye Allergies
• Questions to Ask the Doctor
• Eye Allergy Exams and Tests
• Treating Your Own Eye Allergies
• Medical Treatment for Eye Allergies
• Drugs for Eye Allergies
• Other Therapy for Eye Allergies
• Next Steps and Follow-up
• Eye Allergy Prevention
• Outlook for Eye Allergies

Treating Your Own Eye Allergies continued...

Unfortunately, avoidance of the allergen(s) is not always easy or possible. In this case, the following at-home treatments may provide you with some relief from eye allergies:

• Apply cold compresses to the eyes to help reduce the allergic reaction.
• Use artificial tears/lubricating eye drops as needed to help flush out allergens that get into your eyes
• Use over-the-counter medications, such as allergy eye drops and oral antihistamines, as directed for mild allergies.
• Try to avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can worsen symptoms.

Medical Treatment for Eye Allergies

Numerous over-the-counter medications, such as allergy eye drops and oral antihistamines, can be used as directed for mild allergies. In addition, many prescription eye drops are also available to help reduce eye allergies.

Drugs for Eye Allergies

Prescription eye drops are generally very effective for eye allergies, and, because they are applied topically, eye drops are usually free of many systemic side effects. Most eye drops are used twice a day, and many can be used to prevent the allergic reaction in the first place. Some common allergy eye drops include:

• Nedocromil (Alocril)
  
• Ketotifen (Zaditor)
  
• Olopatadine (Patanol)
  
• Azelastine (Optivar)
  
• Pemirolast (Alamast)
  
• Epinastine (Elestat)

For more serious cases, topical ophthalmic corticosteroids can be used; however, many of the older corticosteroids are associated with ocular side effects with long-term use. The newer ophthalmic corticosteroids have a much lower risk of ocular side effects. Some common topical ophthalmic corticosteroids are:

• Loteprednol 0.02% (Alrex)
  
• Loteprednol 0.05% (Lotemax)
  
• Prednisolone (AK-Pred)
  
• Rimexolone (Vexol)
  
• Medrysone (HMS)
  
• Fluorometholone (FML, FML Forte, FML Liquifilm)

Other Therapy for Eye Allergies

To identify those substances that you are most allergic to, skin testing by an allergist may be helpful.

Next Steps and Follow-up

Follow-up appointments for eye allergies are scheduled as needed.

• For mild cases of PAC and SAC, annual follow-up visits with an ophthalmologist may be appropriate.
  
• For more severe cases or for intermittent exacerbations of normally mild disease, more frequent visits with an ophthalmologist may be required.

Eye Allergy Prevention

Unfortunately, other than avoidance of the allergen(s), PAC and SAC cannot be prevented.