Top Allergy Eye Drops | Relief for Itchy, Watery Eyes

livewell
July 31, 2024
Noah Bennett

Introduction

It is common to experience itchy and watery eyes during allergy season. Globally, millions of people suffer from eye allergies like conjunctivitis. This results in pain and discomfort, thus disrupting a person’s routine activities. Moreover, the symptoms are generally triggered by allergens like pollen, dust, mold, etc. It is important to understand the cause of allergy and effective treatment methods to get immediate relief. This blog will help you to explore the best allergy eye drops for watery and itchy eyes.

Types of Eye Allergies Causing Itchy and Watery Eyes

Seasonal Allergy Conjunctivitis

It is the most common type. Typically, this allergy occurs during the spring, fall, or summer seasons. This allergy is triggered by pollen grains. Common symptoms associated with this type of allergy include:

Itchy and watery eyes.
Inflammation of the eyes.
Redness of the eyes.
Light sensitivity.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic allergy form. This mainly affects young boys and males. Furthermore, this type of allergy occurs primarily in the summer and spring. Pollen grains and airborne allergens trigger this allergy. Common symptoms associated with vernal keratoconjunctivitis are:

Itchiness.
Watery eyes.
Thick discharge from eyes.
Inflammation of eyelids.

Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis

This type of allergy is persistent throughout the year. Molds, dust mites, etc. trigger this allergy. Common symptoms associated with perennial allergic conjunctivitis are:

Itchy eyes.
Watery eyes.
Redness of the eyes.
Inflammation of the eyes.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

Giant papillary conjunctivitis occurs due to using contact lenses. Furthermore, this allergy is triggered due to a protein reaction on the lens surface. Common symptoms associated with this allergy type are:

Itchiness.
Watery eyes.
Excessive mucus discharge from eyes.

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis

This is a rare but severe type of eye allergy. It is more prevalent among older individuals, particularly in those who have a history of atopic dermatitis. Different environmental irritants trigger Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis. Common symptoms associated with this allergy are:

Itchiness.
Inflammation of conjunctiva.
Cornea damage.

When Do Healthcare Professionals Recommend Allergy Eye Drops?

Healthcare professionals recommend eye drops when an individual experiences eye allergies like itchiness, redness, watery eyes, etc. Typically, the following conditions are involved, while recommending allergy eyedrops.

If the symptoms are persistent and changes in lifestyles do not relieve the symptoms, then healthcare professionals recommend allergy eye drops.
The healthcare professional recommends allergy eye drops, in case of the severity of symptoms.
Several eye conditions like vernal conjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis require specific eye drops.

Medical History

Healthcare professionals ask detailed questions regarding a person’s medical history to understand the type of disease.

Physical Examination

The doctor examines the eyes to identify symptoms of allergic reactions.

Allergy Tests

Sometimes the healthcare professional recommends allergy tests. This is for detecting specific allergens leading to symptoms.

Types of Allergy Relief Eye Drops

The allergy eye drops types are as follows:

Antihistamine.
Mast cell stabilizers.
Anti-inflammatory.
Multiple-action.
Decongestant.

Antihistamine

Healthcare professionals recommend antihistamine eye drops for eye allergies if a person doesn’t get relief without medications. Antihistamine relieves itchy and watery eyes. These medicines work by blocking histamine in the body. The immune system produces histamine when an allergen enters the person’s body. This results in many allergy symptoms.

Furthermore, antihistamine eye drops ease symptoms. However, a person gets relief for a short period. Antihistamine might cause dryness in the eyes. Some examples of antihistamine eye drops are:

Azelastine hydrochloride.
Alcaftadine.
Emedastine difumarate.

Mast Cell Stabilizers

They are the new type of eyedrop. Mast cell stabilizer allergy eyedrops inhibit the release of histamine and other chemicals in an allergic reaction. Moreover, they are used to prevent symptoms. A person can use these over-the-counter allergy eye drops without any side effects. Furthermore, a person can wear contact lenses for a long period after using mast cell stabilizer allergy eyedrops. Some examples of mast cell stabilizer allergy eye drops include:

Ketotifen fumarate is a mast cell stabilizer eyedrop, available over the counter.
Cromolyn
Nedocromil sodium

Anti-inflammatory

They fall into two categories: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

These eye drops relieve itchiness. Ketorolac is an NSAID used for treating itchy eyes. The itchiness disappears after one hour of using eye drops. Furthermore, these eyedrops cause a burning sensation at first, but after some time a person no longer feels the burning sensation.

Corticosteroids

They are used to cure severe and long-term symptoms of eye allergy. Loteprednol is one of the examples of prescription allergy eye drops. The healthcare specialist usually doesn’t recommend corticosteroids for long-term use, unless the person suffers from severe eye allergy.

Furthermore, if an individual uses corticosteroid eye drops, he/she must have regular follow-ups with healthcare specialists because of various side effects. Some side effects of these eyedrops are cataracts, glaucoma, etc.

Multiple-action

Multiple-action allergy eyedrops involve multiple types of medicine. For instance, the combination of antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer helps treat and prevent itchy and watery eyes, redness, and burning. Some examples of multiple-action eye allergy eyedrops are:

Epinastine.
Cetirizine.
Ketotifen.

Decongestant

Decongestant allergy eye drops brighten the white part of your eyes. Additionally, it reduces redness for a short period. Furthermore, these allergy eye drops cause the narrowing of blood vessels in the eye region. Thus, relieving redness but they carry a risk of rebound redness. Rebound redness is a condition in which a person’s eyes appear bloodshot. This is a prescribed allergy eye drop and is not recommended to use it for a long period. Some examples of these eyedrops are:

Naphazoline hydrochloride
Oxymetazoline hydrocholoride

Examples of Top-rated Allergy Eye Drops

Some examples of top-rated allergy eye drops for watery eyes and allergy eye drops for itchy eyes are:

Zaditor

This ketotifen fumarate eyedrop is an over-the-counter eyedrop, effective against itchy eyes. It gives relief for up to twelve hours.

Pataday

The olopatadine hydrochloride(pataday) allergy eye drops are available over the counter. It gives relief against itchy and watery eyes for long periods.

Claritin Eye

These ketotifen fumarate allergy eye drops give long-lasting relief against itchy eyes.

Furthermore, it is important to consult a healthcare specialist before using any allergy eye drops.

Consideration of Risk Factors While Using Allergy Eye Drops

It is important to consider risk factors associated with allergy eye drops. Some of the risk factors are:

Glaucoma

Some allergy eye drops can cause glaucoma.

Cataracts

Using corticosteroid allergy eye drops can increase the risk of cataracts.

Side Effects

Some eye drops can cause burning, rebound redness, and a burning sensation.

Time Duration

Certain eye drops are safe to use for shorter periods.

Interaction with other Medications

Some allergy eye drops can interact with other medications. Thus, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before using it.

Bronchial Thermoplasty

It is a procedure for treating severe asthma. This procedure involves the application of heat to the inside of the airways to reduce muscular mass and prevent airway tightening.

Proper Storage

Proper storage guidelines should be followed to maintain the efficacy of eye drops.

Seeking advice from a Healthcare Professional

It is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before using allergy eye drops to avoid any adverse reactions.

Furthermore, understanding these risks helps decrease risks and increase the advantages of allergy eye drops.

Management of Eye Allergies

Some strategies to manage eye allergies are:

Try to avoid allergens. For instance, if a person is allergic to pollen, he/she should stay indoors during the pollen season.
Frequent washing of face and eyes, to remove any allergen or contaminant.
Wear sunglasses while going outdoors to protect yourself from allergens.
Keep your surroundings clean.

Conclusion

In conclusion, several eye allergies result in itchiness and watery eyes. It is important to choose the right allergy eye drops for effective management and treatment of eye allergy. Top-rated allergy eye drops such as Zadtior and Pataday give relief because of their active constituent, ketotifen fumarate. Furthermore, while choosing eye drops, it is important to consider certain risk factors like underlying health conditions, interactions with other medications, etc. Proper usage and following strict guidelines are crucial to avoid side effects like rebound redness, glaucoma, etc. Seeking medical advice is also an important factor before using allergy eye drops. Following proper guidelines and using reputable brand products helps manage and relieve the symptoms effectively.

FAQ

Hello, What Can We Help You Find?

Are you looking for something? We are here to assist you. These are the questions
asked by our customers tell us yours.

What is the mechanism of allergy eye drops?

Typically, allergy eye drops contain antihistamines that inhibit the release of histamine, a compound in an individual’s body resulting in allergy symptoms. Additionally, certain drops stabilize mast cells thus inhibiting the release of histamine.

What are the top-rated allergy eye drops?

Some top-rated allergy eyedrops are Zaditor, Pataday, etc. They give relief for up to twelve hours.

Can allergy eye drops be used with contact lenses?

Some manufacturers formulate eye drops that are safe to use with contact lenses.

s it safe for a child to use allergy eye drops?

A child can use certain allergy eye drops. However, before using one must see guidelines and consult a healthcare specialist.