Red, watery, itchy eyes are a common problem in Prescott. Many times, the culprit is seasonal allergies, that also cause symptoms of sneezing, nasal congestion, and a runny nose.
Causes
Trees such as juniper and cottonwood, weeds, grasses, etc. can all be contributors. Sensitivity to cosmetics, lotion, soap, cologne, perfume, etc. may also cause eye allergies.
Symptoms
Eye allergy symptoms may range from mild itching to severe redness and swelling of the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane lining the eyelids and on the surface of the white of the eye) and swelling of the eyelid skin and the skin surrounding the eyes.
Treatment
Palliative treatment such as cool compresses and a good quality artificial tear to rinse the ocular surface may be enough to relieve symptoms. An over the counter allergy eye drop may be a good next step, however, some may do more harm than good. For instance, some may perpetuate a cycle of eye redness by use of a short-acting vasoconstrictor that results in a larger re-dilation of blood vessels when it wears off. Our office can provide specific recommendations for OTC drops based on your clinical appearance. Sometimes, eye allergies can be severe, and a prescription eye drop or topical cream for the skin around the eyes is required.
If you feel you have an eye allergy that needs attention, please call us for an appointment. We will do our best to accommodate seeing you, many times on the same day!
