Eye Concerns

If you suffer from allergies, your eyes may be affected, too. They may be red, itchy, and watery and your eyes and eyelids may even be inflamed. Susceptible individuals have an exaggerated reaction to certain airborne substances, such as pollen, ragweed, grass, mold, and animal hair.

What are the causes?

Whenever people prone to allergies come in contact with allergens, their immune system reacts, and may cause red, itchy eyes.

During an allergic reaction, a chemical called histamine, is released from mast cells. Mast cells are found throughout the body, including in the eyes, and are responsible for the symptoms of allergies. In response to an allergen, your body's mast cells release histamine which binds to receptors in tissues causing them to enlarge or dilate. It is your body's way of fighting off the allergen. Your eyes may become swollen, red, watery, itchy and irritated.

How can it be treated?

Some people reduce exposure by staying indoors when pollen and mold counts are high; they also may invest in special air filters.

There are non-prescription eye drops that are specially designed to relieve ocular symptoms of allergies. You will want to choose an eye drop that has an antihistamine to reduce the itching. 

For fast-acting and long-lasting relief, try Bausch & Lomb Alaway™ Antihistamine Eye Drops.  Alaway Eye Drops provide eye itch relief within minutes that lasts up to 12 hours.  That's up to 3 times longer than the leading over-the-counter allergy eye drop¹.  

Or try Bausch & Lomb Opcon-A® Itching and Redness Reliever Eye Drops.  Opcon-A Eye Drops are specially formulated to temporarily relieve itching and redness caused by pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander.

To get maximum relief from eye drops, use them correctly and safely.

¹A.C. Nielsen 12/07