Preventing and Treating Eye Allergies

Eye allergies occur when an allergen or something you're allergic to disturbs the membranes of your eye. Several things may irritate your eyes, including pet dander, molds, dust mites, and pollen. Symptoms generally occur in both eyes shortly after exposure to any of these allergens. If you're one of the millions of Americans who suffer from eye allergies, then you know very well how annoying this condition can be. Here are a few tips to help you prevent eye allergies:

 

Stay Home During High-Pollen Days



Download a mobile weather application that tracks pollen counts in your area. This way, you can check the forecasts from time to time. As much as possible, try to stay inside during high-pollen days. What if you can't avoid going outside? Just ensure that you remove the allergens by taking a shower, washing your hair, and changing your clothes immediately.

 

Wear Proper Eyewear Outdoors



Another way to protect your eyes from allergens is to wear wrap-around sunglasses each time you spend time outdoors. When gardening or mowing the lawn, don't forget to wear safety glasses that come with foam padding. These will keep allergens like dust, pollen, and other flying debris from your eyes. 

 

Replace Your Home Air Filters



These devices are excellent at keeping the circulating air through your heating and cooling systems clean. The filters trap and hold a wide range of contaminants that could harm your health and reduce comfort. These particulates include dust, dirt, pollen, mold, mold spores, hair, and animal fur, among others. If you don't change your air filters regularly, they may cause more harm than good. 


Additionally, close your car windows when you drive around. This will prevent allergens from getting direct contact with your eyes, and will also help keep the interior of your car cleaner. If possible, use allergen-reducing covers to encase your pillows. Try washing your bedsheets in water that's at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit, too. Keep your beloved pets off your furniture and vacuum your floor frequently. 

 

Treatment Options



The American Academy of Ophthalmology emphasizes that the key to treating eye allergies is limiting or avoiding contact with the allergen that causes the problem. Are you experiencing eye allergy symptoms such as red, swollen, or itchy eyes? Maybe you're struggling with burning, watery eyes, or light sensitivity. If so, your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops and medicine to give you relief. These include artificial tears to temporarily wash the allergens from your eye or decongestants to reduce eye redness. They may also recommend oral antihistamines, corticosteroids, or antihistamine eye drops with mast-cell stabilizers. If none of these work, you may opt for allergy shots instead. 




Are you wondering which treatments are best for your case? At Atlanta Eye Group, we can provide advice on eye drops and medicines for your eye allergy. We will also conduct an assessment to rule out any underlying eye condition that may be mistaken as eye allergies. Contact Atlanta Eye Group in Atlanta or Kennesaw, GA at (770) 727-0772 to schedule your comprehensive eye examination. We have multiple offices in Atlanta and one in Kennesaw, Georgia. 

rats3898 none 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Optometrist # # # 2860 Cumberland Mall SE, Suite 1440
Atlanta, GA 30339 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Atlanta+Eye+Group/@33.880667,-84.469788,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xe83d5328c49ea1ca!8m2!3d33.8806673!4d-84.469788?hl=en-US https://www.lenscrafters.com/ScheduleExamView?catalogId=11651&clearExams=1&langId=-1&storeNumber=0638&storeId=10851&cid=Yext_PagesSchedule_Now_LCOD0638 https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJtVONdBAR9YgRyqGexChTPeg 3393 Peachtree Road NE #B128
Atlanta, GA 30326 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Atlanta+Eye+Group/@33.847235,-84.3647957,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x88f505f87f2c986d:0x29518e244e5c8f10!4m6!3m5!1s0x88f505571c53615d:0x53f67f8561eb8cfc!8m2!3d33.847235!4d-84.3622154!16s%2Fg%2F11dzdchnp1?hl=en https://www.lenscrafters.com/ScheduleExamView?catalogId=11651&clearExams=1&langId=-1&storeNumber=0252&storeId=10851&cid=Yext_PagesSchedule_Now_LCOD0252 https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJXWFTHFcF9YgR_IzrYYV_9lM 400 Ernest Barrett Parkway, Suite 617
Kennesaw, GA 30144 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Atlanta+Eye+Group/@34.018025,-84.563789,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x4ee1b066f76a97ba!8m2!3d34.0180253!4d-84.5637886?hl=en-US https://www.lenscrafters.com/ScheduleExamView?catalogId=11651&clearExams=1&langId=-1&storeNumber=0256&storeId=10851&cid=Yext_PagesSchedule_Now_LCOD0256 https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJT9qzgZAV9YgRupdq92aw4U4 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Suite 1280
Atlanta, GA 30346 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Atlanta+Eye+Group/@33.9230607,-84.3407601,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xd15fc7720d7f6740!8m2!3d33.9230607!4d-84.3407601 https://www.lenscrafters.com/ScheduleExamView?catalogId=11651&clearExams=1&langId=-1&storeNumber=0156&storeId=10851&cid=Yext_PagesSchedule_Now_LCOD0156 https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJiSZb4EQJ9YgRQGd_DXLHX9E 4832 Briarcliff Rd NE, Suite 1
Atlanta, GA 30345 https://g.page/r/CbPu0fSsZMBIEAI/review https://www.lenscrafters.com/ScheduleExamView?catalogId=11651&clearExams=1&langId=-1&storeNumber=0226&storeId=10851&cid=Yext_PagesSchedule_Now_LCOD0226 https://g.page/r/CbPu0fSsZMBIEBE/review/