It’s that time of year again, Spring time! Are your allergies acting up again? 75{4422c3e9d6d956ffe17c4a9703f8867adf328a271a08c00de098d82d34d0cfb5} of the population who have allergies, also show signs of ocular allergies in their eyes.
What are the signs?
- Red , swollen and/or itchy eyes
- Runny nose, coughing and/or sneezing
- Itchy nose, mouth and throat
- Sinus Congestion
What is the cause?
Allergens such as pollen activate the mast cells in your body. Once they are activated, they release anti-histamines which cause the itchy eyes.
What are the treatments for itchy eyes?
- Usually the first line treatment is artificial tears. We try to flush out the allergens out from your eyes.
- Temporary relief may also include antihistamine like Opcon-A but long term use is not recommended. You might develop a rebound effect from the drugs and may develop a dependence on the eye drops.
- If your eyes are constantly itchy, there is an effective and safe prescription eye drop, Pataday. It’s newly approved in Canada but has been approved in the US for a while.
The drug works in 2 ways. It first stabilizes the mast cell so it helps stop the release the histamines. It also acts like an anti-histamine also. This eye drop only needs to be applied once a day and has a 24 hour relief. But always consult a doctor before using this drug.
If you are suffering from ocular allergies, come on by to our clinic and we can evaluate the severity of your allergies. Your MSP Carecard will cover your visit to
see the eye doctor for ocular allergies and other ocular emergencies.