Seasonal Allergies Are in Full Bloom

Spring is in the air! Unfortunately that means allergy season is upon us again. With the welcoming sight of green buds on trees comes the unwelcome increased pollen which means that millions of allergy sufferers will be sneezing, sniffling, and rubbing their red, itchy eyes. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may be looking for a way to relieve the discomfort of irritated eyes. Eye allergies are one of the most common disorders of the eye, affecting an estimated 40 million Americans. There are many types of eye allergies but the most common is seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Approximately 90% of all eye allergy cases are seasonal and usually occurs during the spring and fall. It's triggered by outdoor allergens such as trees, grass and weed pollen. People with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis usually have symptoms which include itchy eyes, burning of the eyes and eye watering. In some cases, people notice light sensitivity and blurred vision. The eyes are usually red, and the eyelids may become swollen. When the inside of the eyelid (the conjunctiva) is also swollen, the eyes may have a watery, gelatinous-like appearance - this finding is called "chemosis". Though these symptoms are stereotypical, your eye care specialist needs to rule out common external disease problems such as dry eye, blepharitis, rosacea, and low-grade bacterial conjunctivitis. Because many of the allergens that trigger eye allergies are airborne, the following steps can be taken to relieve unavoidable seasonal allergy symptoms that pop up: · Use over-the-counter artificial tears to dilute and flush out allergens from the eyes. This will also relieve some of the itching and redness. · Apply a cool compress to the eyes to ease discomfort and reduce puffiness. · Over-the-counter antihistamines that are designed to help nasal allergies can also help treat eye allergies. · For more severe seasonal allergic conjunctivitis cases, an ophthalmologist can prescribe eye drops to offer relief. To learn more about eye allergies and possible treatment options, contact your eye specialist, or call us at Shanbom Eye Specialist. You may also visit our website at www.shanbomeyespecialist.com for more information. You can contact Dr. Shanbom of Shanbom Eye Specialist at 248-546-2133. His office is located on Woodward, just south of 12 Mile.