Almost one in every five people in the US has been affected with eye allergies.
It is a common eye condition that usually has mild symptoms such as itchy and red eyes. But sometimes, these eye allergies can escalate and turn severe.
If not treated in time, these allergies may cause further eye damage and vision problems.
Therefore, it is important to know about some effective eye drops for allergies for proper treatment of your allergic eyes.
This article will discuss the best eye drops used for treating eye allergies, along with their safety concerns.
Best Eye Drops For Allergies
In most cases, the cause of eye allergies and the severity of your symptoms determine the eye drops suitable for treatment.
These eye drops may include both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription eye drops for allergies, depending on the individual’s condition.
In the case of mild eye allergies, symptoms may be relieved after using artificial tears and lubricating eye drops.
However, serious allergies often require medications for complete treatment.
Let us discuss the most effective eye drops used for allergic eyes below.
Antihistamine Eye Drops
Antihistamines are generally the first-line medications used for eye allergy treatment.
The compound antihistamine blocks histamine production in the body, which is the main cause of allergic eye symptoms such as itchiness and swollen eyes.
These eye drops are effective for quick relief from such symptoms but may require repeated usage for long-term relief.
Common antihistamine eye drops used for eye allergies are Azelastine and Oloplatadine.
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Mast Cell Stabilizer Eye Drops
These eye drops are relatively new but provide effective long-term relief from allergic eye symptoms.
Mast cells are the white blood cells in the eyes. When these cells come in contact with allergens, they release chemicals such as histamine, triggering an allergic reaction in the eye.
The eye drops containing mast cell stabilizers help treat eye allergies by preventing the release of chemicals like histamine.
However, it is vital to note that these eye drops may take a long time to show their effect, making them unsuitable for quick relief from allergic eyes.
The most commonly used prescription-based eye drops include Cromolyn (Crolom) and Lodoxamide (Alomide).
Decongestant Eye Drops
Decongestant eye drops are also an effective medication for treating eye allergies.
These eye drops help provide relief from allergic eyes by treating symptoms such as red eyes.
Decongestants work by constricting the blood vessels in the eye that are responsible for eye redness.
However, these eye drops carry a risk of ‘rebound redness’, making them unsuitable for long-term usage.
Rebound redness is a situation where the redness of the eyes returns and becomes more severe than it was before, typically as a result of using certain medications.
Commonly used decongestant eye drops include Naphazoline and Phenylephrine.
Anti-Inflammatory Eye Drops
Anti-inflammatory eye drops are also used for treating allergic eyes.
There are mainly two kinds of anti-inflammatory eye drops: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids.
NSAIDs function by decreasing the production of substances that trigger inflammation in the eyes, which, in turn, alleviates symptoms like redness and watery eyes.
At present, Ketorolac (Acular) is the only NSAID drug authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ocular conditions such as eye allergies.
Corticosteroids on the other hand, work by suppressing the immune response in the case of eye allergies, effectively relieving the symptoms.
However, these corticosteroid eye drops are typically prescribed only for severe allergies because they can have side effects.
Combination Eye Drops
As we already discussed, different symptoms of allergic eyes may require specific eye drops for relief.
Hence, some eye drops that are used to treat eye allergies may contain more than one type of drug. These types of eye drops are known as combination or multiple-action eye drops.
For instance, a combination of eye drops with antihistamines and decongestants can relieve symptoms such as red and itchy eyes.
Additionally, eye drops containing antihistamines with mast cell stabilizers may treat redness, tearing, and burning sensations due to allergies.
Side Effects of Eye Drops For Allergies
Like all medications, these antiallergic eye drops might also cause some side effects in certain individuals.
These eye drops may cause a mild stinging or burning sensation during the first few uses. However, such side effects usually resolve with consistent usage.
Besides, the eye drops that contain corticosteroids may increase your risk of developing conditions such as Glaucoma, Cataracts, and eye infections.
This is why some ophthalmologists may be reluctant to recommend corticosteroid eye drops unless you have a severe eye allergy.
It is advised to talk to your eye doctor about any concerns related to such side effects.
Where Can You Buy Eye Drops For Allergies
Besides determining the correct eye drops for your eye allergy, it is also important to buy them from the right sources.
These sources include offline retail pharmacies as well as online pharmacies.
However, remember to be careful while buying medications online, as certain unauthorized e-pharmacies sell counterfeit medications without a prescription.
Remember, authentic e-pharmacies follow the FDA guidelines and only sell medications by prescription.
One such reliable pharmacy is Cheap Medicine Shop. We provide quality medication on prescription.
Conclusion
Eye allergies are common among individuals and may cause symptoms such as red, itchy, and dry eyes.
These allergies are treated using eye drops such as antihistamines, which are often the first medications used for eye allergies.
Other effective eye drops include anti-inflammatories, mast-cell stabilizers, and decongestants.
They may help relieve certain allergic eye symptoms such as red and watery eyes.
On the other hand, combination eye drops consist of a mixture of these anti-allergy eye drops for multi-purpose action.
However, these eye drops for allergies might show side effects in some individuals, especially when taken without a prescription.
Therefore, ensure that the medication required for your eye allergy is prescribed by your eye doctor after proper diagnosis of your eye condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best eye drops for allergies?
There are no ‘best’ eye drops for allergies, as the effectiveness of eye drops depends on various individual factors.
However, antihistamine eye drops are generally the first medications used for treating eye allergies. Consult your doctor for a prescription of eye drops for your allergies.
Are eye allergy drops safe?
Yes, most eye drops for allergies are considered safe when taken under the guidance of a doctor. However, self-medicating with these eye drops can potentially be harmful to your eyes.
Therefore, it is recommended to stick to the prescribed dosage of medications for your eye allergies.
Is eye allergy serious?
Yes, certain eye allergies can be serious if not treated in time. Generally, the severity of your symptoms determines the seriousness of your eye allergy.
However, it is best to consult an eye doctor to determine the severity of your allergic eye.
How can I treat eye allergies at home?
There is no proven way to treat allergic eyes at home. Certain home remedies, such as warm compresses, may alleviate some eye discomfort.
However, for proper treatment of eye allergies, it is vital to visit an eye doctor.
How long do you need to take eye drops for allergies?
The duration of using allergy eye drops varies depending on the type and severity of the allergy.
However, most individuals may need to use these eye drops multiple times a day for a few weeks for observable effects.
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