Seasonal Eye Allergies and Dry Eye Disease: The Link

Are your itchy, burning eyes from seasonal allergies or dry eye syndrome? Both conditions are common and cause similar symptoms, so it can be hard to distinguish the two.

In this post, Six One Six Vision Center discusses the link between seasonal eye allergies and dry eye disease.

Seasons

Dry eye disease can be aggravated by spring allergens such as pollen. Many dry eye cases occur during the spring, with another spike during the winter season due to low humidity that’s caused by indoor heating. During the summer, dry eye and seasonal eye allergies are compounded due to increased exposure to sunlight and dust. If your symptoms are causing you significant discomfort, visit an optometrist for treatment.

Overall Symptoms

One of the reasons dry eye syndrome is almost indistinguishable from seasonal eye allergies is because they cause many of the same symptoms. Both can cause burning, itchiness and redness, swollen eyelids and light sensitivity. They do have some differences though; dry eye causes a stringy discharge from the eye and alternates between causing the eyes to water vs. making them feel dry. Seasonal eye allergies, on the other hand, are often accompanied by a runny nose or nasal congestion. Dry eye syndrome is also more difficult to treat compared than seasonal allergies, which are often mitigated by a simple antihistamine.

For quality eye care, turn to Six One Six Vision Center. We are your number one provider of eyeglasses and eye exam services. Give us a call at (208) 514-1858 or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. We serve clients in Eagle, Meridian and other areas in the state of Idaho.