Three Ways Outdoor Allergens Affect Your Eyes

Every day, millions of Americans struggle with the unpleasant effects, discomfort, and potential visual impairments that result from ocular allergies. Given the prevalence of allergens (including pet dander, pollen, dust, and environmental irritants), it may be hard or impossible to avoid the things that cause our eyes to go red, itchy, and watery. Fortunately, board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Daniel Tepper can help you find the solution.

Whether it involves eye drops, artificial tears, medications, or lifestyle modifications, we’ll weigh all your personal factors when devising an effective treatment strategy for your unique needs. The first step toward relief is a comprehensive consultation at Wicker Park Eye Center, so we invite Chicago-area residents to schedule one today.

Wondering if you’re suffering from eye allergies or if you’re a good candidate for our allergen-focused treatment methods? Here are a few examples of how outdoor allergens affect your eyes.

1) Outdoor allergens cause numerous uncomfortable, potentially sight-impairing symptoms

Ocular allergies are also known as allergic conjunctivitis because they affect and inflame the conjunctiva, a thin tissue layer (or membrane) that lines the inner eyelids and the front of the eyes. And this all-too-common condition can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, including the sensation of itchiness or burning.

Additionally, the whites of the eyes and inner eyelids may become red and inflamed with a clear and watery discharge. As if these symptoms weren’t exasperating enough, some individuals also experience vision changes, including blurriness or sensitivity to light.

2) Eye allergies stimulate an immune system overreaction

Outdoor allergies stimulate an old, once-useful immune adaptation that has since gone off the rails and become a daily nuisance. It’s said that the effects of allergies developed to protect us from toxic or otherwise harmful materials. It can be annoyingly clear to see how this works: sneezing, a runny nose, and itching are all immune responses to help get rid of an irritating substance. Sneezing removes it from the airways, a runny nose helps to dispel it before it fully enters the airways, and itchiness forces us to get it away from the skin.

It’s the same regarding the eyes, as excessive watering occurs to remove the substance from the delicate ocular tissues, with redness, discomfort, and other symptoms resulting from histamines and the associated inflammation and swelling.

3) Ocular allergies hamper daily living and comfort

Many irritants can cause a patient’s eye allergies to spike. These irritants include harmless things, like pet dander, pollen, dust, and fragrances, along with more harmful substances, including smoke and environmental pollutants. Yet these ubiquitous agents can cause various adverse reactions that limit patients’ productivity and saddle them with discomfort. Therefore, timely intervention is necessary to win back your daily productivity and overall wellness, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors or spend time outside while walking to school, work, or for any other reason.

Enjoy relief from ocular allergies

Eye allergies are an obnoxious, energy-draining, life-hampering condition that can make our daily duties a chore. But it’s not one that you must suffer because board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Daniel Tepper is eager to craft a customized treatment plan for you at wicker Park Eye Center. To find relief and win back comfort and clear eyesight, we invite all residents in the Chicago area to reach out today and explore our various eye allergy solutions.