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Eye Allergy
(Allergic Eye Disease)

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Medical Author:

Jay Robert Woody, MD

Jay Robert Woody, MD

Dr. Jay Woody is a diplomat of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine and is an Attending Physician at Parkland Health and Hospital System, Children's Medical Center of Dallas as well as several other north Texas facilities. He is a well-known and widely published authority in the field of emergency medicine and the former regional medical director of a freestanding emergency medicine practice.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Eye allergy facts

• Most allergic eye conditions are more irritating than dangerous.
• Allergic or vernal keratoconjunctivitis may result in scarring of the cornea and visual problems.
• Itchy eyes are probably allergic eyes.
• Topical antihistamine/decongestant preparations are effective and safe for mildly itchy, red eyes.
• Patanol, a topical mast-cell stabilizer, is a safe, highly effective, long-acting treatment.
• Topical steroids should be used with caution and under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
• If in doubt, seek medical advice sooner rather than later.

Eye allergy introduction

What causes eye allergies?

Eye allergies usually are associated with other allergic conditions, particularly hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and atopic eczema (dermatitis). The causes of eye allergies are similar to those of allergic asthma and hay fever. Medications and cosmetics can play a significant role in causing eye allergies. Reactions to eye irritants and other eye conditions (for example, infections such as pinkeye) are often confused with eye allergy. Any kind of irritant, whether environmental, infectious, or manmade, can cause symptoms consistent with eye allergies.