Do you Suffer with Allergy-Eyes?
Each change of season can cause a flare up of allergy eyes, especially when pollen is released in spring.
Many of our patients describe ‘allergy-eyes’ as having a tiny fleck of sand in the eye that doesn’t go away, resulting in a red eyes and that scratchy sensation.
If you experience that red, gritty or irritated eyes for extended periods of time, you may have an underlying eye condition, either dry eyes, Blepharitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, or a number of other possible eye conditions.
We will examine your eyes and determine the cause of the dry eyes in order to provide you with the most appropriate treatment.
Our office offers IPL (Intense Pulse Light), this a very successful in-office treatment for treating the cause of the dry eyes.
What Causes Allergy-Eyes?
As mentioned above, allergy-eyes can be caused by a number of eye conditions and diseases, such as Dry Eye Syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome and Blepharitis.
1. Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye is the most common cause of allergy-eyes.
A decreased production or quality of tears can cause the eyes to become dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. At times the eyes can even become very watery.
Our tears are composed of 3 components: water, oil, and mucus. You need all three in a perfect balance for healthy tear production. Dry eyes can result when one or more of these components are deficient or out of balance.
A common form of allergy-eyes is caused by insufficient oil in your tears. The glands that produce oil are called the meibomian glands, located inside your eyelids, and their tiny pores supply the essential oils. These glands can become blocked due to inflammation, allergies or pollution.
2. Sjogren’s Syndrome
Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the glands responsible for keeping the eyes, mouth and other parts of the body moist and lubricated.
Therefore, it is no surprise that dry eyes are a distinctive feature of Sjogren’s syndrome.
Other symptoms may include red eyes, contact lens discomfort, blurred vision, a gritty or burning sensation, light sensitivity, dry mouth, fatigue, and joint pain.
3. Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an eye condition caused by a skin disorder or a bacterial infection of the eyelids.
A patient with Blepharitis typically experiences swollen eyelids, and red, irritated and itchy eyes.
Grittiness is a very common symptom found in those with Blepharitis. This condition is now easily treated, thanks to a range of medication and treatment options.
How to Treat Allergy-Eyes
The key to treating allergy-eyes begins with understanding its cause.
Many times, using eye drops is not enough!
Dr. Marianne McDaniel may recommend an in-office option known as IPL (Intense Pulse Light).
IPL treats the underlying cause of dry eyes and increase the eye’s natural tear production. In certain cases, the doctor may prescribe steroids for short-term symptom relief.
If you are experiencing gritty eyes and can’t seem to find relief from the discomfort, get in touch and Mascoutah Eye Care will set up a consultation with Dr. Marianne McDaniel to discuss the specifics of your case.
Our mission is to ensure that you enjoy long-term clear and pain-free vision.
Our practice serves patients from Mascoutah, Belleville, O'Fallon, and Edwardsville, Illinois and surrounding communities.
