29 Mar How To Relieve Ocular Allergies

How To Relieve Ocular Allergies

We all know allergy season is in full swing, and for many, that can mean itchy watery eyes which not only is annoying but can also blur up your vision. Here are a few at-home remedies that will help reduce these symptoms.

One of the best ways to reduce the symptoms of allergies is by using a cold compress. This could be done simply by using a bag of ice over the eyes while having a washcloth or towel in between your eyes and the ice. You could also purchase a cooling mask from your local optometrist. This is made specifically to be used over the eyes and does not get too cold so it is comfortable for use.

Another relief for ocular allergies is antihistamines. These are allergy meds and there are multiple over-the-counter options. If your symptoms are systemic, meaning not only do you have ocular allergies, but you also have sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose, then an oral antihistamine might be the best option. If that still does not relieve your itchy and watery eyes, there are also drops for ocular allergies. Pat-a-day is a once-a-day drop that can relieve those symptoms. Just keep in mind any time you use any type of antihistamine, whether the oral tablets or eye drops, this will make your eyes dry. Make sure you use artificial tears to keep your eyes from over-drying during allergy season.

Lastly, if you are a contact lens wearer you may find that your contact lenses are more difficult to use during allergy season. This could be due to pollen sticking to your contacts. Changing out your contact lenses would be a good option, but may not be the most cost-effective option if you are using monthly or biweekly contact lenses. If your contacts are making your allergies worse, consider seeing your optometrist about switching to daily disposable contacts. With daily disposable contact lenses, you get that feeling of putting in fresh lenses every day, while reducing your allergy symptoms.

These are some ways to help reduce your ocular allergy symptoms. However, if your symptoms are severe and these don’t seem to help, it may be time to see your eye doctor.