Eye Allergy
(Allergic Eye Disease)
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.
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.
- Eye allergy facts
- Eye allergy introduction
- What causes eye allergies?
- What is the basic anatomy of the outer eye?
- Why are the eyes an easy target for allergies?
- What are symptoms and signs of eye allergies?
- What are allergic eye conditions?
- What are eyelid allergies (also called contact eye allergies)?
- What conditions can be confused with eye allergies?
- What is the treatment for eye allergies?
- What is the prognosis of eye allergies?
- Can eye allergies be prevented?
- Patient Comments: Eye Allergies - Causes
- Patient Comments: Eye Allergies - Prevention
- Patient Comments: Eye Allergy - Treatments
- Find a local Asthma & Allergy Specialist in your town
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
The eyes are the windows to the soul because they reflect our state of mind. This certainly can't be true if our eyes are red, swollen, watery, and itchy from an allergic reaction. Severe allergic eye symptoms can be very distressing and are a common reason for visits to the allergist, ophthalmologist, and even the emergency room. Occasionally, severe eye allergies cause serious damage that can threaten eyesight.
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.
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