Are your eyes itchy, red, and watering?

This may be your usual reaction to the beginning of spring and the onset of hayfever symptoms.

But – if you’ve taken antihistamines and the symptoms are getting worse – what do you do?

The best solution is to go and see your local optometrist – you may be experiencing the symptoms of dry eye, not hayfever. Allergies can exacerbate dry eye symptoms, but your optometrist will diagnose exactly what is affecting your eyes.

The symptoms of hayfever and dry eye feel quite similar, but the treatments are different. Antihistamines which reduce allergy symptoms can make dry eyes worse.

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that affects 20% of adult population—predominantly in women and older people due to changes within the body.

But any age and gender can be affected by dry eye syndrome.

The syndrome is often the result of a disruption to the healthy tear film. The reasons this can occur are many and include your health, environment and lifestyle.

Health based reasons that affect your ability to make tears include the aging process, hormone changes, or autoimmune disease.

Lifestyle reasons that might affect your tear-flow system include side effects of certain drugs like antihistamines, antidepressants, or extended use of digital devices.

Environments that can exacerbate dry eyes are being in a plane, especially for extended periods (or regular travel), an air-conditioned room or office, or in a heated room.

Your tear film has three layers: fatty oils (outer), aqueous fluid (middle) and mucus (inner).

These layers work together to ensure the surface of your eyes are lubricated, smooth and clear. They are a critical component of your eye’s immune system.

If one of these layers is not functioning correctly they can create dry eye symptoms including:

• A gritty or burning sensation
• A feeling of having something in your eyes
• Eye redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Irritation wearing contact lenses
• Watery discharge from your eyes

Prevention is critical with dry eyes. Once you are experiencing the symptoms, the inflammation has already started.

Your optometrist can prescribe tear drops that are applied regularly. The drops protect the tear layer from evaporation and reduce the friction on the surface of your eye when you blink.

A hot compress can help unblock the Meibomian glands and make oils in your tear film runnier.

Blinking keeps your eyeballs moist. When you’re focused on digital screens, you blink less, and your upper eyelid doesn’t shut completely. It may be helpful to regularly close your eyes for a few minutes or blink repeatedly for a few seconds to help spread your tears evenly over your eyes.

Your optometrist can use Intense Pulsed Light treatment, which stimulates the meibomian glands helping them to function normally. It usually takes effect within a few hours of the treatment and provides relief and improved symptoms, it’s best if you undertake the full regime of three treatments. Depending on the severity of your symptoms you may need a repeat course later if symptoms return.

Rexoneye Treatment delivered by your optometrist can provide long term relief. Treatment involves four x 20 minute sessions over the course of around 4 weeks.

Allergic reactions are the result of your body (and eyes) responding to exposure to a substance in the environment.

The reaction involves your immune system which releases histamine to defend against the substance that your body thinks is foreign or attacking it.
Hayfever is the most common type of eye allergy and can be a reaction to grass and tree pollens. More than 20% of Australians have an eye reaction to hayfever and often also experience allergic conjunctivitis.

Studies show that there is a genetic component that can increase your susceptibility to hayfever.

If you experience symptoms year-round, then you may be allergic to allergens like pet dander, pet hair, smoke or dust mites.

• red eyes
• watery eyes
• sore eyes
• itchy eyes
• gritty eyes
• sandy eyes

Children will often rub their eyes, or blink forcefully and repeatedly, to relieve the itchy symptoms.

Allergy symptoms can be present in one or both eyes. It is common for environmental allergens such as pollens and dust mites to affect both eyes.

The best way to avoid allergies is to prevent your exposure to substances that trigger your allergy, but this isn’t always possible.

You should book an appointment with your optometrist so they can assess and diagnose why you have itchiness, discomfort or irritation and provide appropriate treatment for you.

Antihistamines will relieve allergy symptoms such as the itch and rash and can help, your optometrist will recommend the best medication.

Allergy drops, prescribed by your optometrist, will usually soothe eye allergy symptoms almost instantly.

Eyelid wipes help alleviate your discomfort and maintain hygiene simultaneously. You should try not to rub or touch your eyes when you have an allergy flare-up, as this can help spread germs and also cause more irritation.

A cold compress can help, the cold temperature can have a soothing effect on your eyes and reduce inflammation, which minimises itchiness, swelling, and redness.

Always see your optometrist if you are at all in any discomfort or concerned about how your eyes are feeling or if you are having difficulty seeing.