Types of Eye Allergies and Treatments

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Have you been trying to treat your eye allergies at home for some time? You may be experiencing a more serious eye condition that can negatively impact your health. Get relief and peace of mind by scheduling an appointment with our team of Alabama eye doctors.

Find an EyeCare Associates location near you and schedule your appointment today. 

Common Treatments for Eye Allergies

Find relief with these at-home treatments for eye allergies, which include:

• Using tear substitute eye drops

• Trying to reduce your exposure to indoor and outdoor allergens, depending on your allergy

• Taking over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines

Those with vernal keratoconjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, or giant papillary conjunctivitis can begin treatment at home. Start by taking a break from wearing contact lenses and see if you feel better. 

People with these eye allergies should also take extra steps to avoid exposure to allergens. Some prescription eye drops can help reduce the symptoms caused by allergens, so ask your eye doctor to help you find the right eye drops for your allergies.

If at-home remedies are not providing relief, talk to your eye doctor about other treatments available for your condition.

Pataday: The One-Drop Solution for Allergies

If you’re looking for eye drop solution recommendations, EyeCare Associates can help. EyeCare Associates recommend Pataday, an eye drop solution that treats allergy symptoms. It soothes redness and itchy sensations, so that you can enjoy your day without irritation. 

If you purchase Pataday eye drops from EyeCare Associates, you pay less than you would from over-the-counter. Pick up your Pataday eye drops from EyeCare Associates to soothe your allergy symptoms today!

6 Types of Eye Allergies

There are six unique types of eye allergies. These include: 

• Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC)

• Perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC)

• Contact allergic conjunctivitis

• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis

• Atopic keratoconjunctivitis

• and giant papillary conjunctivitis

Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) is just as it sounds: an eye allergy that occurs seasonally. SAC affects most people during the spring, summer, and fall months. During these months, there’s a higher amount of plant pollen in the air, which causes many to experience SAC. The most common types of plant pollen that cause allergic reactions include grass pollen and ragweed.

SAC Symptoms

Someone with SAC may experience these common symptoms:

• Itchy or burning sensation in the eyes

• Redness of the eye

• Clear, watery eye discharge

• Dark circles or puffy eyes

• Sensitivity to light

Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis

Perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) is a year-round eye allergy caused by dust mites, mold, pet dander, and other household irritants. This condition has symptoms similar to SAC, which may make it difficult to distinguish which type of eye allergy you’re experiencing. 

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is an eye allergy with symptoms similar to SAC and PAC. However, these symptoms are more severe than those of SAC and PAC. This type of eye allergy affects your eyes year-round. Those with vernal keratoconjunctivitis may experience worsened symptoms during the spring, summer, and fall. This condition most commonly occurs in boys and younger men.

Symptoms

Some of the common symptoms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis are:

• Itchy eyes

• A significant increase in tear production

• An increase in mucus

• “Foreign body sensation” in your eyes

• Sensitivity to light 

Up to 75% of those with vernal keratoconjunctivitis also experience eczema and asthma. 

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis

Another form of year-round eye allergy is atopic keratoconjunctivitis. This type has symptoms similar to vernal keratoconjunctivitis. This condition is common in older people but especially in men prone to allergic dermatitis. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis can lead to cornea scarring, negatively impacting your vision. Diagnosing and treating this condition as soon as you experience any of its symptoms is essential.

Symptoms

Patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis may experience the following symptoms:

• Severe itching

• Burning sensation

• Redness

• Significant increase in mucus production

Contact Allergic Conjunctivitis

This type of eye allergy only affects those who wear contact lenses. When proteins form on the surface of the contact lens, your eyes become irritated, and contacts become harder to wear. 

Symptoms

The common symptoms of contact allergic conjunctivitis include:

• Itchy or red eyes

• Experiencing discomfort while wearing lenses

• Mucous discharge

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a more severe form of contact allergic conjunctivitis. It occurs in patients who wear contact lenses, particularly soft lenses. Your contact lenses or contact lens solution may cause this. Like contact allergic conjunctivitis, protein deposits may also play a role. It’s possible for other allergens, especially chronic allergies, to contribute to this condition, making its symptoms more irritating.

Symptoms

Giant papillary conjunctivitis often affects the inside of your eyelid. Your eyelid may look and feel:

• Rough

• Red

• Sore

• Swollen

• Bumpy

This condition also affects the eyeball, causing it to look and feel:

• Irritated, like your eye has something stuck in it or that your contact is moving

• Red

• Itchy

Other symptoms of this condition include:

• An excess discharge of mucus from your eye

• Blurry vision