Seasonal eye sensitivity: causes and treatment

Effect of seasonal sensitivity on eye health

With the arrival of warmer seasons and sometimes autumn, many people face problems called seasonal sensitivity. Eyes, as one of the most sensitive parts of the body, are usually the first place to react to this sensitivity. Symptoms such as itching, redness, and watery eyes can disrupt daily life and greatly reduce its quality. If you are one of the people who suffer from the annoying symptoms of seasonal eye sensitivity every year, this article will help you learn about the causes, symptoms and best treatment methods to control this condition. Our goal is to help your loved ones by providing simple and practical solutions to enjoy the different seasons of the year without worrying about eye allergies.

What is seasonal eye sensitivity and why does it occur?

Seasonal eye sensitivity, medically known as allergic conjunctivitis, occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to harmless substances in the environment. In fact, when your eyes come into contact with allergens such as pollen, grass, tree, or even mold, your immune system recognizes them as a threat and releases histamine to fight them. These histamines cause inflammation and unpleasant symptoms that we know as eye allergies.

Spring is the most common time for allergy symptoms such as itching, redness, and watery eyes because the pollination of trees and plants increases in this season. However, seasonal allergies can also occur in the summer due to grass pollen and in the fall due to weed and mold pollen. The intensity of these reactions can be low or high and affect a person's daily life. To better manage and control these allergies, knowing the exact causes and how the body reacts is the first and important step.

Common signs and symptoms of eye allergy

Knowing the symptoms of seasonal eye sensitivity will help you to take timely treatment. These symptoms usually appear in both eyes and their severity may vary from person to person. Among the most common signs of seasonal eye sensitivity, the following can be mentioned:

Severe eye itching: This is the most common and annoying symptom that often patients start rubbing their eyes.
Eye redness: Blood vessels in the eye become swollen and dilated, resulting in a red or pink appearance to the eye.
Watering and Tearing: Your eyes may start producing too many tears to try to wash away the allergens.
Swelling of the eyelids: The eyelids may appear puffy and swollen.
Feeling of burning or itching in the eyelids: In addition to the eyeball, the eyelids may also experience itching and burning.
Sensitivity to light (photophobia): In some cases, patients may show sensitivity to light.
Temporary blurred vision: Due to excessive tearing or swelling, your vision may become blurred for a short time.

These symptoms are often accompanied by other seasonal allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and itchy throat, which indicates a general allergic reaction in the body.

Does seasonal sensitivity damage the eyes?

This question is one of the main concerns of many people with seasonal eye sensitivity. The good news is that, in most cases, seasonal allergies themselves do not cause serious or permanent eye damage. However, improper management and frequent and intense rubbing of the eyes can cause problems over time. Rubbing the eyes too much can cause further irritation, scratching of the cornea (the clear layer on the eye) and, in rare cases, even thinning of the cornea (keratoconus), especially if the person is predisposed. Also, chronic inflammation caused by uncontrolled allergies can damage the edges of the eyelids and lead to problems such as blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).

Additionally, in some rare cases, a more severe type of eye allergy called atopic keratoconjunctivitis can seriously damage the cornea over time and even lead to vision loss. So, although seasonal allergies are often harmless, ignoring the symptoms and not pursuing treatment can cause more serious problems. Consultation with the best eye doctor is very important for accurate assessment and getting the right treatment.

Effective solutions to prevent itchy eyes during allergy season

Prevention is always better than cure, especially for seasonal eye sensitivity. By following a few simple tips, you can greatly reduce exposure to allergens and prevent symptoms:

Reduce exposure to pollen: During peak pollination seasons, try to close windows and doors, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when pollen levels are highest in the air. Use air conditioning with HEPA filters at home and in the car.
Preservation of personal hygiene: If you go out of the house, it is better to take a shower after returning home and change your clothes so that the pollens attached to the hair and clothes are removed. Wash your hands regularly and avoid rubbing your eyes.
Use of sunglasses: When you leave the house, wear large sunglasses to create a physical barrier between your eyes and pollen.
Limit outdoor activities: Minimize outdoor activities on days when pollen counts are high.
Use of artificial tears: Artificial tear drops without preservatives can help wash allergens from the surface of the eye and keep it moist.

By following the mentioned points and preparing to deal with seasonal allergens, the intensity and frequency of eye allergies can be significantly reduced and itchy eyes can be tolerated more easily.

Treatment methods to control and relieve eye sensitivity

If symptoms of seasonal eye sensitivity appear despite following preventive measures, there are various treatment methods to relieve and control them. Choosing the best method to treat eye allergies depends on the severity of your symptoms and individual conditions, so it is better to consult an ophthalmologist:

Over-the-counter eye drops (OTC):

- Artificial tears: Helps wash away allergens and relieve dryness and irritation.
- Antihistamine drops: Block histamines and quickly reduce itching and redness. Examples such as Ketatifen drops.
- Decongestant drops: They constrict blood vessels and reduce redness, but should not be used for long periods as they may cause reddening to return.

Prescription eye drops:

- Mast cell stabilizers: These drops prevent the release of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals and are more effective at preventing symptoms (such as cromolyn). For full effectiveness, they need to be used regularly for several weeks.
- Steroid drops: For severe cases resistant to other treatments, corticosteroid drops may be prescribed for a short time to quickly reduce inflammation. The use of these drops must be under the strict supervision of a doctor.
- Dual effect drops (antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer): These drops both relieve symptoms quickly and prevent them from occurring in the future (like Olopatadine).

Oral drugs:

- Oral antihistamines: can help reduce general allergy symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing, and may also be helpful in severe eye symptoms. However, they may cause dry eyes.

Read more: Dry Eye | The best doctor for dry eye disease

Immunotherapy (allergy vaccine):

For very severe and chronic cases, the doctor may suggest immunotherapy. This treatment involves gradually injecting increasing doses of allergens into the body to develop tolerance to them.

Always check with your eye doctor before starting any new treatment, especially prescription medications, to make sure it is safe and effective for your particular condition.

Conclusion

Seasonal eye sensitivity can be an annoying experience with symptoms such as itching, redness and watery eyes, and it affects the quality of life. However, if we know the cause of this problem and follow preventive measures, we can greatly reduce the severity and frequency of attacks. It is important to know that seasonal sensitivity does not cause serious damage to the eyes in most cases, but if we constantly rub the eyes and do not have proper treatment, complications may occur. Fortunately, there are several treatment options, from over-the-counter eye drops to prescription medications and even immunotherapy, to control and relieve these symptoms. By consulting a doctor and following a proper treatment plan, you can spend the allergy season more comfortably and protect your eye health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I see a doctor for seasonal eye sensitivity?

If your symptoms are severe, do not improve with over-the-counter medications, or if you have pain, changes in vision, or severe sensitivity to light, you should see an eye doctor.

2. Can contact lenses make eye allergies worse?

Yes, allergens can accumulate on the surface of the lenses and aggravate symptoms. During the allergy seasons, it is better to replace the use of glasses with lenses or use daily disposable lenses.

3. Does rubbing the eyes cause damage?

Frequent and intense eye rubbing can damage the cornea and even in some rare cases, lead to more serious problems such as keratoconus. Try to avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible.

4. Is seasonal eye sensitivity contagious?

No, seasonal eye sensitivity is an allergic reaction and is not contagious. You cannot take it from another person or transfer it to another person.

5. What is the best way to relieve itchy eyes immediately?

Using cold compresses on the eyes, washing the eyes with artificial tears or washing serum, and using antihistamine eye drops can help provide immediate relief from itching.
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