What to do with itchy eyes

Dr Tendai Zuze
WHEN your eyes are exposed to substances like pollen or mould spores, they may become red, itchy, and watery. These symptoms probably mean you have allergic conjunctivitis. This refers to eye inflammation resulting from an allergic reaction to various substances. The inside of your eyelids and the covering of your eyeball have a membrane called the conjunctiva.

The conjunctiva is susceptible to irritation from irritants, which we will call allergens, especially during hay fever season (around the time jacarandas bloom).

Allergic conjunctivitis is quite common and affects about one-fifth of the population.
It is your body’s reaction to substances it considers potentially harmful.
There are two main types of allergic conjunctivitis.

Acute allergic conjunctivitis is a short term condition that is common during allergy season.
When you have it, your eyelids suddenly swell, itch and burn and you may have a watery nose.

The other type, chronic allergic rhinitis, is less common and can occur all year round.
It is a response to allergens like food, dust, and animal dander. Burning and itching of the eyes and light sensitivity are common symptoms.
You experience allergic conjunctivitis when your body tries to defend itself against a perceived threat.

It does this in reaction to substances that trigger the release of histamine, a potent chemical your body produces to fight off foreign invaders.
Some of the substances that cause this reaction are:

Household dust
Pollen from trees and grass
Mould spores
Animal dander
Chemical scents (e.g. household detergents or perfume)
Some people may also experience allergic conjunctivitis in reaction to certain medications or substances dropped into the eyes, such as contact lens solution or medicated eye drops.
People who already have allergies are more likely to develop allergic conjunctivitis.
Allergies also often run in families.
Allergies affect people of all ages, though they are more common in children and young adults.
If you have allergies and live in locations with high pollen counts, you are more susceptible to allergic conjunctivitis.
Although red, itchy, watery, and burning eyes are the common symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
You may also wake up in the morning with puffy eyes.

To make the diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor will look at your history, especially in relation to allergies, and then examine your eyes which would usually show redness in the white of the eye and sometimes small bumps inside your eyelids.

Your doctor may also ask for an allergy skin test to confirm what you are allergic to and some blood tests to confirm you are actually reacting to something.

Treating allergic conjunctivitis at home involves a combination of prevention strategies and activities to ease your symptoms. To minimise your exposure to allergens:

Close windows when the pollen count is high
Keep your home dust-free, remove carpets if you have to
Use an indoor air purifier
Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, dyes, and perfumes
To ease your symptoms, avoid rubbing your eyes.
Applying a cool compress to your eyes can also help reduce inflammation and itching.
In more troublesome cases, home care may not be adequate.
You will need to see a doctor who might recommend:
An oral or over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce or block histamine release
Anti-inflammatory and/or anti-inflammation eye drops
Eye drops to shrink congested blood vessels
Steroid eye drops (only in severe cases)
Completely avoiding the environmental factors that cause allergic conjunctivitis can be difficult.
The best thing you can do is to limit your exposure to these triggers.

For example, if you know that you are allergic to perfume or household dust, you can try to minimise your exposure by using scent-free soaps and detergents, or by installing an air purifier in the home.

If you think you have allergic conjunctivitis, please visit your doctor for medical attention.

Dr Zuze can be contacted at Highland Clinic on 020-66364 or [email protected]