Fall Allergies and Your Eyes

Autumn often brings to mind pleasant thoughts of football games, crisp air, and leaves changing color. But for those with allergies, it can also be a time of distress. Millions of people suffer from the sniffling, sneezing, and nasal congestion that accompany allergies. Weed pollen is the biggest allergy trigger for most fall allergies. Pollen can travel hundred of miles through the wind, so no matter where you live, it is difficult to escape its misery.

A common side effect of allergies is irritated eyes. Ocular allergies occur when airborne allergens and other particles interact with the surface of the eye and cause the body to overreact. Soft contact lens wearers are especially susceptible as contact lenses can serve as collectors of these particles.

Common symptoms of eye allergies include:

• Itching
• Redness
• Watery eyes
• Swelling or puffiness of the eyelids

While most eye allergies are annoying and uncomfortable, they rarely harm your eyesight. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, the good news is that relief from these may be reached with a quick visit to an optometrist. Effective treatments are available at Nova Vision Center and our optometrists are ready and waiting to help. Take control of your allergies! Call us today at (937) 320-0300 to schedule an appointment today.