The Basics - Ocular Allergy Drops

 A huge percentage of the population suffer from allergies.  Some allergy sufferers know exactly what their trigger is but often the exact culprit is a mystery.

There are many environmental (dust, pollen) and specific (animal) triggers that effect eyes and cause ocular allergy signs and symptoms.  This itchiness, scratchness and clear/white stringy discharge is Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Allergic eyes are:

• red
• itchy (especially in the insider corners)
• may have a stringy white discharge
• both eyes effected
• have bumps under eyelids

Allergic eyes are not:

• goopy with yellowish discharge
• painful
• extremely light sensitive
• achey

These posts are not meant to be diagnostic but rather general information.  If you think you have ocular allergies then see an Optometrist to diagnose and recommend ocular allergy drops / treatment options for you.

  Rewetting drops - Do not under-rate regular use of non-preserved rewetting drops.  When using oral antihistamines, your eyes will be more dry and using a drop like Thealoz DUO can help flush your eyes and make them feel better.  Regular use of rewetting drops can also make you more tolerant to contact lenses during your seasonal allergies.

  Ice - If your allergies are more acute in nature (e.g. animal dander), ice can be a useful treatment if you simply do not have drops or need immediate relief.   An ice cube in a cloth applied to the lids can slow rapid onset reactions. 

  Cell Stabilizer Eye Drops - These ocular allergy drops act to shield the [mast] cells that release histamine.  The older drops based on sodium cromoglycate (e.g. Cromolyn) seem to have limited success in clinic.  There is a cell stabilizer drop that we use in clinic success.  This ingredient is in  HYLO Dual , HYLO Dual Intense and Soothe Allergy.  These drops are innovative because they combines a create lubricating drop with a novel mast cell stabilizer (Ectoine).  When used regularly, Ectoine has been shown to be very effective for environmental allergy use and can be used for very long periods of time without fear of adverse effects. 

Prescription ocular allergy drops are great for those who do not have many systemic allergy symptoms or eye issues persist even with oral anti-allergy medications.  There are two classes 

  Non-steroidal Antihistamine Eye Drops - There is a broad spectrum of these drops and depending upon where you live, some are prescription and some are over-the-counter.  These drops combat free antigens in the eye (versus stabilizers that only prevent histamine release).  Older antihistamines like Naphcon-A, Opcon-A are reasonably effective for short-term or acute relief.  Slightly newer drops like Zaditor have more punch for sure.

The most successful drop that our we prescribe in clinic (because it is once a day and effective as both antihistamine and stabilizer) is Pataday.  Pataday is sold under prescription in some areas and non-prescription in others - talk to your Optometrist.

  Steroid Based Eye Drops - Steroid drops are always prescription.  They are very effective in reducing ocular allergy symptoms fast!  The most common steroid drops for allergy are FML, Lotemax and Alrex.  The last two are the same drug at different concentrations.   Speak to you Optometrist about these medications.

  Oral antihistamines give broad allergy relief and may be adequate for some ocular allergy sufferers.  However eye drops can be very useful for those individuals who:

• Do not really have systemic allergy signs/symptoms like sneezing and congestion
• Find that even with oral medications, ocular allergy symptoms persist
• Find that the needed oral antihistamines dry out their eyes and create irritation or contact lens intolerance
• Find oral antihistamines make them drowsy and was alternatives

 

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Additional Resource:  All About Vision - Allergy