Fall Allergies Can Affect Your Eyes, Too

Fall in Oklahoma brings cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and plenty of reasons to spend time outdoors. Unfortunately, it can also bring seasonal allergies—and your eyes may be one of the first places you notice them.

If your eyes become itchy, watery, red, swollen, or irritated this time of year, seasonal allergies could be the cause.

Why Do Fall Allergies Affect Your Eyes?

When your body encounters an allergen such as pollen, ragweed, mold spores, or other airborne irritants, your immune system can react by releasing histamines. That reaction can affect the delicate tissues around your eyes and lead to what is commonly called allergic conjunctivitis.

Common symptoms can include:

• Itchy or burning eyes

• Excessive watering

• Redness

• Puffy or swollen eyelids

• Sensitivity or general eye irritation

For many people, symptoms affect both eyes and may occur along with other allergy symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, or a runny nose.

Try Not to Rub Your Eyes

When your eyes itch, rubbing them can feel like the natural response. Unfortunately, it can actually make the irritation worse.

Rubbing already-inflamed eyes can increase redness and swelling and may introduce additional irritants from your hands. Instead, a cool compress or appropriate lubricating eye drops may provide temporary relief.

Allergies Aren't Always the Cause

Red, itchy, or watery eyes aren't automatically seasonal allergies. Dry eye, contact lens irritation, infections, environmental irritants, and other eye conditions can cause similar symptoms.

That's one reason an eye examination can be helpful when symptoms are persistent, severe, unusual, or aren't responding to your normal allergy routine.

Finding Relief From Fall Eye Allergies

Reducing your exposure to allergens can help. Consider keeping windows closed when pollen counts are high, washing your hands and face after spending time outdoors, changing clothes after yard work, and avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes.

Depending on what's causing your symptoms, your optometrist may also recommend eye drops or other treatment options designed to relieve irritation.

Don't Let Allergies Spoil an Oklahoma Fall

Fall should be enjoyed—not spent dealing with uncomfortable, irritated eyes.

If seasonal allergies are making your eyes itchy, watery, or red, schedule an appointment with your eye care provider. We can help determine what's causing the irritation and discuss treatment options that may provide relief.

Enjoy the season with happier, more comfortable eyes.