Eye Allergies

If symptoms of eye allergies are blurring your vision and making life uncomfortable, you can find help at Vistasite Eye Care. Skilled optometrist Vladimir Dvoretsky, OD, provides complete care for eye allergies that cause persistent redness, itching, and discharge. Through customized treatment plans using eyedrops, immunotherapy, and lifestyle changes, you can finally find relief from bothersome eye allergy symptoms. Schedule a diagnostic evaluation for eye allergies online or call the office in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, today.

What are eye allergies?

Allergies are your body’s overreaction to substances in your environment that aren’t typically considered harmful. When you come into contact with an allergen, your body produces histamines that trigger allergy symptoms like eye redness, burning, and discharge.

Common eye allergy triggers include:

• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Dust mites
• Cigarette smoke
• Certain foods
• Strong-smelling chemicals, and fragrances

You may also experience other uncomfortable symptoms like sneezing and nasal congestion.

When should I schedule a diagnostic evaluation for eye allergies?

If you have symptoms of eye allergies that you can’t treat on your own, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Vistasite Eye Care.

Your provider works with you to determine what’s triggering your eye allergies and completes an eye exam to ensure no damage to your eyes that could cause burning, discharge, and other symptoms.

If your eyes are otherwise healthy, your optometrist customizes a care plan to relieve your eye allergy symptoms and reduce the frequency of your allergy attacks.

How are eye allergies treated?

Your treatment plan for eye allergies depends on what’s triggering your allergic reactions and the severity of your symptoms.

Your Vistasite Eye Care provider may recommend therapies like:

Eyedrops

Over-the-counter, or prescription eyedrops can soothe and hydrate your eyes to relieve itching and redness. You may also benefit from medicated drops that contain antihistamines or corticosteroids to treat allergy-related redness and inflammation.

Allergy medications

Oral or inhaled medications can relieve sneezing, congestion, and eye symptoms that affect your quality of life.

Immunotherapy

If oral allergy medications aren’t working well enough for you or if they’re causing dry eyes, you may benefit from immunotherapy.

This treatment involves injections of known allergens to reduce your body’s overactive response. Over time, the injections prevent allergy attacks from occurring.

Lifestyle changes

Your Vistasite Eye Care provider might also recommend lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your exposure to allergens. For example, you should stay indoors with the windows closed when pollen counts are high.

It’s also important to vacuum your home frequently to reduce dust and other debris in your living environment.

If you need help managing eye allergies, call Vistasite Eye Care to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.