No More Red Burning Eyes: Get Best Eye Drops For Allergic Conjunctivitis
No More Red Burning Eyes: Get Best Eye Drops For Allergic Conjunctivitis
15 September 2024

 Almost every one of us has experienced red, itchy and burning eyes once in our lives. Maybe it happened when we were cleaning the house or playing with our friends in the park or it occurred out of the blue. One moment you were fine, and the other you noticed your eyes suddenly started watering, turning red and getting itchy. That may indicate you are suffering from Allergic conjunctivitis but what is it?  If you are confused about how and why this problematic thing happens, let us help you understand it better.

This eye condition normally happens due to allergens like pollen and dust, something that is very common in city areas. Also, this infection is very common and affects millions of people globally. People often get confused about what eyedrop to choose for treating this issue since there are tons of options available to choose from. 

Let us simply this chaotic decision for you to help you identify the symptoms and give you an idea about both prescription and over-the-counter eye drops.

Understand Differences in Eye Allergies better

Eye allergies are diverse and their severity may differ across individuals. This variance has many contributing factors like environmental conditions, genetics, and certain sensitivity to allergens. Some people might experience subtle, infrequent symptoms with less or no discomfort while some may go through intense and constant discomfort. 

Talking about how long allergies last, some might be seasonal and can only attack people when allergenic plants start pollinating. However, some can be perennial, troubling people all along the year.

Different substances can contribute to triggering allergies which might lead to most common symptoms like dry, itchy burning and swollen eyelids with extreme pain. That makes it clear that not all allergies are the same, making normal treatments ineffective for some people. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and get customized treatment according to the symptoms and triggers of a patient. 

Why Does Allergic Conjunctivitis Happen?

Allergic conjunctivitis shows red, itchy eyes that a person gets from allergies caused by allergen substances like dust, pollen, mold or even pet dander. That’s why it mostly happens when your eyes are exposed to dust and when you’re doing some gardening chores or playing with your pet.  A person might suffer from allergic conjunctivitis in one eye or both eyes After slight itching, a person will start tearing and in no time they will be left with red eyes and puffy eyelids. And the worst part is that it will ultimately lead to a burning sensation and a feeling of something poking your eyes. 

Allergic conjunctivitis, may also slightly blur the vision and make your eyes sensitive to light. Along with the painful eye, one may also get a sore throat and itchy and runny nose. The severity of allergic conjunctivitis might be on different levels for everyone. Whenever the red and itchy eyes are persistent, do not think it is a simple eye injection as allergic conjunctivitis’s initial symptoms resemble that of a normal eye infection. 

Analyzing Best for Allergic Conjunctivitis?

Running to the pharmacy after catching an allergic conjunctivitis is our first instinct. But which one do we choose when there are so many eye drops claiming they do the best work? And many popular brand names contain similar active ingredients. Before making a purchase, check the OTC label on the package carefully to find out what ingredients are there in the eye drops so that you don’t get into more trouble later.

Also, know that eye drops are only for treating eye symptoms and not any other issue that you are facing because of allergic conjunctivitis. If you have a sore throat and a runny nose along with an eye issue, you may want to take allergy medications that will give you relief from both eye and body symptoms. Another alternative to that is you can combine allergy eye drops with oral pills or nasal sprays so all your problems are treated well.

1. Decongestant Eye Drops

If you want an eye drop that quickly acts to reduce eye redness, decongestant eye drops come first. These drops act by narrowing the blood vessels that are present around our eyes. Many decongestant eye drops have active ingredients along with zinc or glycerin. These medications help in providing relief by eliminating redness or providing moisture.

Though they show instant results, doctors do not recommend using decongestant eye drop for a long time since they can bring back the allergic reactions back. After long use, your eyes can depend on these drops, making your redness worse when you stop using them.

2. Isopto Tears 

Isopto tears or artificial tears have properties that lubricate the surface of your eyes. These drops provide comfort to your eyes and flush out allergens. Even seasonal allergy problems can be solved using these tears, artificial tears. If your eyes are feeling dry and itchy, feel free to use artificial tears as they are great for everyday use.

Users should know that these drops offer only temporary relief and they are not used for curing allergies and only minimizing them. 

In the case of dry eyes, which is a common issue for many, red and itchy eyes may follow. So, artificial tears can mimic natural tears in some people and moisturise your eyes like natural tears. You can also use these drops regularly to maintain a proper eye cleanse.

If you find eye drops messy, you can also purchase artificial tears in gels, and ointments which stay longer because of their thick consistency. 

Allergic Conjunctivitis Relief

3. Mast Cell Stabilizer Eye Drops

You can only purchase mast cell stabilizer eye drops with a doctor’s prescription. These drops treat your eyes’ allergies by actively preventing the release of histamines. They are trustworthy in extreme cases due to their anti-inflammatory nature. That said, these drops do not block histamine’s effects which causes a person to use them consistently over time to see the results. 

Many debate over mast cell stabilizers and oral antihistamines. Oral antihistamines give instant relief but the user may experience some side effects like drowsiness. Mast cell stabilizers, on the other hand, may take longer to work but give you long-lasting relief. Considering your condition, consult your doctor before using either of these medicines. Experts also recommend using allergy eye drops before using mast cell stabilizers.

4. Combinated Eye Drops

For quick action and convenience, experts combined multiple medications like antihistamines and a decongestant into one. Lubricant may also be an active ingredient for added moisture. Since there are many active ingredients, review the label on the box as you will know what the bottle contains. This product might also be slightly more expensive than some other single-ingredient drops. If you doubt a certain product, consult with a healthcare professional.

Caution is required since you can not use more than one eye drop that has the same ingredient at once. Also, you should not treat your eyes with eye drops that have the same medication class. For instance, it is not good to use two eye drops if both have decongestants in them.

How to Properly Apply Eye Drops for Better Results

It is essential to apply eye drops correctly to maximize their effectiveness and comfort. Follow these simple instructions to treat your allergic conjunctivitis better:

Treat Allergic Conjunctivitis with Eye Drops

1. Be Prepared

  • Wash your hands properly with soap and water to eliminate any dirt and germs.
  • Read the instructions on the eye drops box and shake the bottle well.
  • If you use contact lenses, it is advised to remove them unless your doctor advises you can wear them.

2. Application of the eye drops

  • Open the lid of the bottle carefully and make sure you do not touch the dipper since it needs to be kept sterilized. 
  • Tilt your head to the back and use one hand to gently pull the lower eyelid down and aim for the eye pocket using your dropper.
  • Release one drop into your eye and do not blink. It is essential to let the drop be absorbed.
  • Press your eyes gently and keep them pressed for some seconds. Doing so will ensure that the drops are not draining away and will be absorbed easily.
  • If you are using different types of eye drops, wait for some minutes before applying the next drop as it avoids dilution and makes sure everything is absorbed properly.

3. Aftercare

  • Remove any remaining liquid with a dry and clean tissue.
  • Close the cap of the bottle without touching the dropper tip.
  • Wash your hands afterwards.

Which is Better: Prescription Eye Drops Better Or Over-The-Counter Allergy Eye Drops?

 The OTC allergy drops give relief to red, itchy eyes as they are safer and more effective in the treatment of allergy conjunctivitis. 

Prescription allergy eye drops are normally recommended when the allergies are severe or if the OTC does not work properly. If the symptoms are adamant and strict, it might be the case of something else other than just allergic conjunctivitis. In this case, OTC eye drops may not be effective. 

When is the Time to Visit a Doctor for Red Itchy Eyes?

Itchy and red eyes that last for a short period usually don’t need any medical assistance. But, things need to be addressed if the symptoms last longer or get worse with time. You should immediately call an ophthalmologist and see what’s the matter.

You should also visit them if you notice crusting or eye discharge which can be symptoms of bacterial or viral pink eye infection. 

Conclusion

Allergic conjunctivitis does not bring you major health damage but is a common and painful condition. Treating it like a common eye infection might cost you your eye in the long run as it can cause scarring of the eye in severe cases. 

The wisest thing to do is to visit a doctor as soon as the symptoms arise and take medications so that one simple eye allergy won’t be so problematic in the future.