If itchy, red, watery eyes are making you miserable, you’re not alone. Eye allergies affect 20% of the general population, and for those who already have allergies, the rate increases to 60%.
While avoiding your triggers is the best first step, sometimes it’s just not possible to dodge them entirely. That’s where your allergy treatment options at Bainbridge Eye Care come into the picture.
Read on as Nicanor Lacsina, OD, and Yelena Pinkhasova, OD, explain three of your potential treatment options for eye allergies in the Bronx, New York.
Artificial tears can help wash allergens out of your eyes and keep them hydrated. They’re a quick, accessible option for soothing irritation throughout the day.
You can also try over-the-counter oral allergy medications, like loratadine (Claritin®) or cetirizine (Zyrtec®), which reduce your body’s overall allergic response. These oral antihistamines — along with OTC antihistamine eye drops — can help ease eye allergy symptoms like redness, itching, and swelling.
Always consult with Dr. Lacsina and Dr. Pinkhasova before starting any new treatment or making changes to your health routine.
When over-the-counter drops aren’t enough, prescription-strength treatments can make a big difference. Dr. Lacsina and Dr. Pinkhasova may recommend:
In some cases, a combination of drops targets multiple symptoms for more complete relief. These medications are helpful during peak allergy season or when symptoms are severe and persistent.
If your symptoms don’t improve with drops or medications, you may benefit from immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Allergy shots help reduce your eye allergy symptoms by training your immune system to become less sensitive to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. They work by administering small doses of the allergen and gradually increasing them during your buildup phase. The goal is for your body to learn to tolerate the allergen without triggering an allergic response.
After the buildup phase, you receive maintenance shots to help your body build long-term tolerance.
People with severe or year-round eye allergies who don’t get relief from medications may want to consider this treatment.
We don’t recommend allergy shots for children under the age of five, but if you have younger kids, our team can provide age-appropriate pediatric eye care for allergies.
In addition to following your treatment plan — whether taking your allergy medication or receiving allergy shots — simple lifestyle adjustments can impact your comfort.
Wear your glasses during flare-ups (since contact lenses can trap allergens and make eyes feel drier and itchier), avoid known triggers when possible, run a HEPA air filter to reduce allergens indoors, and keep window screens clean to minimize pollen buildup.
These small steps can work along with your medical treatment to help keep eye allergies under control.
At Bainbridge Eye Care, our specialists guide you from diagnosis through treatment, and we’re here to help you find lasting relief from eye allergies. Call our office at 718-306-9127 or book an appointment online today to get started.
