Eye Allergy TreatmentIn Miami, Florida

Watering, itchy, painful, red, and swollen eyes all point to eye allergies, also referred to as conjunctivitis. These symptoms can undoubtedly cause significant discomfort and may limit you from enjoying life to its fullest.

Most eye allergies start like all other allergic reactions: The immune system identifies a harmless compound as an allergen and triggers the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies then trigger the cells to release histamine, which leads to an allergic reaction.

In the case of conjunctivitis, the allergic reaction focuses almost exclusively on the eyes when the conjunctiva becomes inflamed (the mucous membrane covering the eyes’ white and the eyelid’s inner side).

In most cases, the primary triggers behind an eye allergy are spores and pollen. As a matter of fact, people with nasal allergies or seasonal hay fever may experience conjunctivitis more pronouncedly during days when the pollen count is high.

On the other hand, indoor allergens like pet dander and dust mites can also trigger eye allergies year-round. In these cases, eye allergy symptoms may actually worsen while patients clean the house or groom their pets.

If you have eye allergy symptoms, then you are most likely to experience the following discomforts:

• Itchiness
• Watery eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Redness in the eyes
• Swelling of the eyelids
• Grittiness

These eye allergy symptoms may appear on their own or coupled with the symptoms of nasal allergies. Usually, patients begin to experience them shortly after exposure to allergens.

When it comes to diagnosing these allergies, the best route to take would be visiting an eye allergy specialist who is able to pinpoint the exact causes of these adverse immune responses and which eye allergy treatments are the most suitable for your specific situation.

To establish a proper diagnosis, the eye allergy specialist will review your complete medical history and will perform specific allergy tests like conjunctival challenge tests, blood tests, and other allergy tests.

In all allergic cases, avoidance is the key to relief. Apart from creating a personalized management plan, your eye allergy specialist will also ensure to educate you about how to forge the best strategies to avoid your triggers like mold and pollen.

These steps include:

• Keeping the windows closed at nighttime and using the AC system to cool and dry the air
• Staying indoors when pollen and mold counts are the highest
• Keeping away from lawn mowing and leaf wreaking – and possibly stirring up molds and pollen
• Keeping the windows closed when traveling by car
• Wearing hats with wide brims to reduce the allergens that blow in your eyes
• Using saline eyedrops to keep the eyes clean from allergens

On the other hand, eye allergy specialists at the Miami Allergy and Immunology Center will also prescribe the best short-term allergy treatments like eye drops and antihistamines to counter the effects of eye allergy symptoms.

Proper patient education, knowledgeable avoidance, and symptom-reducing medication are the critical elements of combating any allergy. Visit our establishment for an appropriate diagnosis and a treatment plan that will work for your individual needs and lifestyle.