Dealing with Itchy Eyes in Hay Fever Season

Spring is a great time of year, but with it comes something dreaded by many: hay fever.

With all the pollen, grass clippings, pet hair and dust the season brings, spring tends to hit people who suffer from hay fever pretty hard. It is especially difficult for those who wear glasses or contact lenses, as the lenses often attract a build-up of allergens.

Hay fever affects two in five Australians through the spring and summer seasons, and is the most common form of allergy. It’s often during this time that many people who wear glasses or contact lenses experience hay fever symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

Apart from feeling congested and sneezy, you might find that your eyes are sore, itchy, red, and puffy. Sometimes they’ll be watery, other times they might be drier than usual. Wearing contact lenses becomes uncomfortable, and you may also notice clear discharge.

What to do

Try and identify what triggers your hay fever and avoid these things as much as possible.

It’s often a good idea to stay indoors – but if you do need to go outside, wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from dust and pollen can help.

Wear glasses instead of contact lenses, or switch to disposable lenses, as this will reduce the risk of build-up of allergens on your lenses.

Try not to rub your eyes if they are itchy, as rubbing them releases more histamine and makes symptoms worse. Instead, splash your eyes with cold water or use eye drops to flush out any irritants.

If that doesn’t help

There are a number of products that are available over the counter to help reduce hay fever symptoms.

The most common relief prescribed for hay fever is antihistamine. When your body detects the presence of allergens, it releases histamine as part of its allergic response. Antihistamine combats this response and reduces the allergic reaction, therefore stopping the runny noses and itchy eyes.

Eye drops can also be used to decrease inflammation, swelling, and flush out any irritants in the eye.

Nasal sprays and decongestants help make breathing easier by reducing the swelling in the nasal passage. They also relieve red, itchy eyes by reducing the size of blood vessels on the white of your eyes.

If you find these products do not help, come see us at NewVision Clinics for a consultation. After a visit with us, you’ll be enjoying Spring in no time!