Allergies and Dry Eyes, What is the Difference?

Allergies and Dry Eyes- What is the Difference

About 30 percent to 50 percent of U.S. residents have allergy symptoms.  Nearly75 percent of those allergy symptoms affect the eyes.  In other parts of the world where the weather is dry, dusty and pollution is high, this statistics may even be higher.  Allergies can trigger other problems, such as conjunctivitis - pink eye (see section on red eyes) and asthma.

Symptoms of Allergy Dry Eyes:

Symptoms of Dry Eyes and Allergy are often confused due to their similarities.  For patients with existing dry eye conditions, allergies during spring and fall where pollen count is high become even more severe.

Some of the common symptoms are:

• Red, swollen or itchy eyes – similar to dry eye symptoms
• Runny nose; sneezing; coughing
• Itchy nose, mouth or throat
• Headache from sinus congestion
• Fatigue from lack of sleep.

Allergy in additional to dry eyes often are presented with stronger symptoms of dry; itchy; red and watery eyes.  Itchy eyes are normally a result from allergy rather than classical dry eye conditions.  Some people have both symptoms all year around.  TheraLife^â Eye Enhanced has natural botanical ingredients that relieve both Dry Eyes and Allergy Eyes.

Causes of AllergyDry Eye

Most allergens (agents that elicit allergy symptoms) are in the air, where they come in contact with your eyes and nose. Airborne allergens include pollen, mold, dust and pet dander (cats and dogs in particular).  Some allergens like dust mites are embedded into carpets, drapery, bedding and window visors.  In that case, the allergens are triggering allergy and dry eyes all year round. 

Conventional Treatments for Allergy Dry Eyes:

o   The most common treatment for allergy is anti-histamines for quick relief.   However anti-histamines cause dehydration, sleepiness, sometimes dizziness, and often are the dry eye causes.

o   Decongestant eye drops-, which constricts blood vessels in your eye to take the red out.  Long-term use can cause your eyes to become dependent on these eye drops, and when you stop, the blood vessels become even larger, making red eyes worse.

o   Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops can sooth allergy eyes (e.g. Patanol).  Its effect is longer term than anti-histamines.  It is effective in treating allergy eyes, but not dry eyes.

o   Prescription steroidal eye drops provide quick relief.  However, long term use have been associated with side effects such as increased inner eye pressure (intraocular pressure) leading to glaucoma and damage to optic nerve. Steroids also have been known to cause cataracts. Prescription steroid eye drops are normally used for very severe cases and no longer than one month.

Recommendations

1. TheraLife^â Eye Enhanced- Relief for both dry eyes and allergy eyes

TheraLife Eye Enhanced is an all-natural botanical product that does not have some of the side effects of anti-histamines (dehydration, dizziness, fatigue and Dry Eyes) or drugs.  TheraLife^â Eye Enhanced has ingredients that relief symptoms of Allergy Eyes as well as Dry Eyes.  For more information, see TheraLife Dry Eye Benefits below:

2.  Allergy medications- we recommend Claritin – a mast cell stabilizer. 
3.  Use a Hepa filter air cleaner
4. Leave outer clothing and shoes outside before coming into the house to avoid tracking allergens indoors.

DO NOT USE ANTIHISTAMINES – e.g. Benydryl, Claritin D
For additional information; please visit National Eye Institute:  nei.gov/