Eye allergies are some of the most well-known heralds of spring, and they don't always go away when summer arrives. Pollen, mold, and dust are some of the biggest triggers of the problem, and this is responsible for the strong seasonality that is often observed.
The root cause of allergies is an overly-robust immune response to particles that are actually harmless. Many of these particles are biological in nature, and this may have something to do with their triggering effects. The body naturally detects foreign proteins, but it is supposed to be able to tell whether these are threats or not. When it can't, allergies result.
With that in mind, it's no surprise that pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and similar things are common triggers of itchy eyes. However, the body can also react to non-biological material or things that should have lost their protein content. These irritants include exhaust, tobacco smoke, and perfumes.
Sometimes, you may develop new allergies to things that didn't used to bother you. This is believed to result from sensitization brought about by too much exposure to the allergen.
If you go into your eye care center for help with eye allergies, the first thing the doctor will do is examine your eyes. Certain other conditions, such as pinkeye (conjunctivitis) can cause allergy-like symptoms, so it's a good idea for optometrists to check. Then, if allergies are confirmed, the doctor will recommend medication to calm them.
Allergy medication for the eyes can take several forms. The mildest is plain eye drops, which help wash irritants out of your eyes. Antihistamine eye drops are another option, but they can only be used for a short time. Corticosteroid drops and other medications can be used for tough cases.
To get relief from your eye allergies, just make an appointment with us here at Chapel Hills Vision Clinic in Colorado Springs. Our eye doctors will be glad to help you calm your itchy, watery eyes.
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