Eye Allergy Treatment with our Fair Lawn Optometrist

Eye allergies are common in the spring, but they can affect people all throughout the year. At Resident Eye Care Associates, our optometry team in Fair Lawn, NJ is committed to helping people not only get relief from their eye allergy symptoms but also figure out how to minimize their recurrence for longer lasting relief.

What Is an Eye Allergy?

An eye allergy occurs when something in the environment triggers an over-the-top immune system response. This happens because your body mistakenly recognizes this substance (subsequently known as an allergen) as a noxious or harmful invader that must be destroyed and removed from the body. So, immune cells within the eyes launch an attack against the foreign object (which includes the release of inflammatory molecules like histamine), which is what leads to all the uncomfortable symptoms!

Common Eye Allergy Symptoms

People with eye allergies tend to complain of:

  • Itchiness and irritation (it may feel like you have sand stuck in your eye)
  • Dryness
  • Watery discharge (this can dry out and leave residue on the eyelids or eyelashes)
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Blurry vision

What Causes Eye Allergies?

It’s not always clear why they occur, but allergies can develop at any stage in life. Some of the most common triggers which can stimulate an allergic response in the eyes include:

  • Smoke
  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Cosmetics
  • Medications
  • Pet dander
  • Contact lens solution

What an Optometrist in Fair Lawn NJ Can do For You

Treating an eye allergy is a two-fold approach. First, we need to determine what’s causing your allergy symptoms. Through tests and patient history, we can determine the trigger and then give you tips for avoiding it.

The next point of care is to alleviate your symptoms. To do this, we need to intervene with treatments that will reduce inflammation, dampen the immune response, and alleviate itching, swelling, dryness, and redness. Medicated eye drops (including steroid and antihistamine medications) and moisturizing eye drops can be extremely helpful in this regard.

Lastly, we can also offer tips and tools for self-soothing symptoms at home, such as cool compresses and the temporary use of eyeglasses instead of contact lenses.

Contact Resident Eye Care Associates Today

Eye allergies can be annoying at best and lead to infections and other complications at worst. So, if you believe you’re suffering from an eye allergy, then, contact our Fair Lawn optometry team today at (201) 797-2747 to schedule an appointment with an experienced optometrist.