Allergy season is upon us once again and we’ve already seen an increase in complaints of red and itchy eyes. There’s a lot of dust, pollen and not a lot of rain, meaning your eyes are exposed to more allergens (irritants) now more than ever. The signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include redness, itching, tearing and swelling. The symptoms may not be limited to the eyes only, you may also experience allergic rhinitis, which has similar symptoms to a cold (sneezing, running nose etc). In the case of allergic rhinitis, nasal spray and antihistamine tablets help. In the case of allergic conjunctivitis, wear sunglasses when you’re outdoors to reduce exposure, consult for an eye exam so that diagnosis can be confirmed and eye drops prescribed.
