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Lindy Eye Care Dr. Mario Craig Dr. Paul Cosenza 631-226-2020 [email protected] OCULAR ALLERGY Ocular allergy is one of the most common eye conditions. The typical symptom of eye allergy is itch. By contrast, eye dryness usually causes burning and pain. Dry eyes are more prone to allergy, though, so the exact diagnosis can be complicated. Although most allergy medications for the eyes are safe, we typically recommend starting with conservative treatments, as long as the symptoms aren’t severe: - - - - - Lubricants are the first step for mild, occasional allergy. Be careful, though, as some lubricants come with preservatives that may exacerbate the allergy! If drops have to be used throughout the day, preservative-free brands have the advantage of safety and comfort (but you may need to carry a few of the unit doses with you). Some of our favorite lubricants are Theratears, Systane, Refresh. Cool compresses are a very safe, reliable adjunct therapy for allergies. By applying a cool/cold washcloth to the closed eyes, blood vessels and inflamed tissues are constricted, causing temporary relief of the symptoms. Medical eyedrops for relief of allergy are very effective, but many over-thecounter (OTC) drops can cause preservative-related irritation … or may even worsen symptoms over time! The most commonly used allergy drops combine several mechanisms of action and are long lasting (usually only requiring 1 or 2 drops per day). Our favorite allergy drops are Patanol, Zaditor, Elestat. Steroid eyedrops are used for a short period of time when there is a severe, acute presentation of symptoms. These drops must be managed carefully by an eye doctor, but are typically very safe, especially for that short period. Once the severe symptoms resolve, the steroid medication is stopped and the milder drops are continued. Our favorite steroid drops are Alrex, Lotemax, FML. Oral medications may be effective, but may have side effects, including eye dryness and sleepiness. They are not typically used for allergies centered in the eyes. Examples are Benadryl (OTC), Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec. Call us at any time if you are feeling eye discomfort, as most eye conditions are easily managed when the proper diagnosis is made.
