How To Keep Eye Allergies in Summer At Bay

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.

John Lubbock
Summer time is indeed a time to relax. Summers usually remind us of vacations at the beach-side, lakes, water parks, and lots of fun. Amidst all this fun, summers also mean pollens and allergens from grass, trees, and weeds. These combined sets of things can lead to eye allergies in summer.

It’s important to treat eye allergies so that it does not cause any major damage to the eyes. Let’s understand eye allergies in summer – symptoms, home remedies, and other treatments.

What are eye allergies?

Usually, by late spring or the beginning of summer, trees, grasses, and weeds start releasing many tiny pollens into the air. These pollens are extremely lightweight and can swirl away with the wind.
When these pollens come in contact with the eye, an adverse immune response is caused that leads to eye allergies. In severe cases, it can cause allergic conjunctivitis. 

Eye Allergies symptoms

How do you know that your eyes have allergy? 

Amidst all the fun you will have during the summertime, it is important to keep a close watch on the symptoms of eye allergies.
Eye allergy is accompanied by nasal congestion, nasal drip, and excessive sneezing. You should check for the following eye allergy symptoms:

• Redness in the white part of the eye.
• Itchy eyes
• Puffiness of the eyes
• Burning sensation in the eyes
• Watery clear discharge from the eyes

You might have to consult an ophthalmologist in case there are symptoms related to allergic conjunctivitis. On the whole, it is best to take note of these symptoms at an early stage so that you can take preventive measures to address the allergy. 

Home Remedies to treat eye allergies

Eye allergies in summer can be very disturbing and can hamper your productivity in a big way. Hence, it is essential to detect eye allergies in the early stages. 

Taking preventive measures can help you avoid eye allergies in summer:

• When pollen counts are high, try staying indoors and keep the house clean
• Wear sunglasses or protective glasses to prevent eyes from pollen when you step outside the house
• Wash your face and eyes twice or thrice a day
• Vacuum (or thoroughly clean) your house regularly during summers to remove all the pollens and dust debris
• Do not rub the eyes as intense rubbing can increase the inflammation
• Avoid using contact lenses if there is any burning or itching in the eyes

Here are some of the widely used home remedies to treat eye allergies in summer:

• Use over-the-counter moisturising eye drops to dilute the allergens. Some eye drops can treat redness and allergies, while others work like artificial tears to reduce dryness in the eyes
• You can also try Cold Compress. Apply cotton swabs dipped in cold water to relieve burning and itching or you can use ice packs.

It is recommended to visit an eye doctor if you have severe eye allergies or allergic conjunctivitis as only medical treatment can help treat those kinds of allergies.

Eye allergies Treatment

What if home remedies do not help in providing relief from eye allergies? In such cases, it is best to consult an ophthalmologist. Although there is no specific eye allergies treatment, experienced eye doctor can help in relieving the symptoms.
Here are some of the major treatment mechanisms to address eye allergies:

• Usage of anti-inflammatory eye drops as prescribed by the doctor leads to reduced inflammation of the eyes
• Allergies are caused due to histamine release. Usage of prescribed oral or over the counter antihistamine drops can reduce effect of histamine
• Usage of Olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops relieves redness and itchiness of the eye
• Nasal decongestants help in lowering the pressure in the eyes that is majorly caused due to sinus congestion
• Low potency steroid eye drops like loteprednol and fluorometholone  are effective in treating severe eye allergies. These eye drops reduce swelling and improve the immune response of the body. You should consult an eye doctor before using steroid eye drops.

Conclusion

Eye allergies in summer can cause itchiness in the eyes. Such an eye condition in combination with the excessive summer heat can literally be a mood spoiler :(. In fact, you might not be able to enjoy the summer holidays that you have been waiting for a long time ☺.

The good news is that you can treat minor eye allergies in summer using home remedies. Only in severe conditions (like allergic conjunctivitis) you should visit an ophthalmologist.

Why Centre for Sight? Well, it is one of the most technologically advanced eye hospitals that has a pan India presence. It has a diverse pool of health specialists that are specialised in providing a range of eye treatments.

Article: How To Keep Eye Allergies in Summer At Bay
Author: CFS Editorial Team   |   Apr 07 2021 | UPDATED 02:00 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.