During the spring and early summer, there is no more beautiful time of year to view all the new growth of flowers and blossoms. However, pollen starts to rain down from the juniper and Russian thistle (tumbleweed), followed by the late summer rabbit brush. And all this time, Bermuda grass is launched into the air by lawnmowers and weed whackers. Our views may become a little cloudy and our noses a little stuffy. Sneezing, itching is the word of the season (I’m all too familiar with it, believe me). As an optometrist, itchy eyes are one of the most common things I treat daily during the spring and summer months. Here are some tips and tricks to help control your itchy eyes.
- Treat Daily: Allergies must be met with consistency in order to be treated effectively. Prevention is key! Know the season.
- Choose the Right Medication: If it seems your whole system is being affected, take oral medication (Claritin – low strength, Allegra – medium strength, or Zyrtec – high strength). If just your eyes itch or if you need a little bit more help, I recommend Pataday extra strength (olopatadine) or Alaway (ketotifen). If you need even more strength, talk to your doctor about using a daily steroid nasal spray or a steroid injection before allergy season hits
- Don’t Rub: Itching only makes things worse. Keeping your eyes clean and comfortable is half the battle. Use a cold compress/ice pack on the eyes for a few minutes. Use lubricating eye drops like Systane, Refresh, BLINK, or Theratears throughout the day.
Let the waterfalls do the running this spring, not your eyes!
*I receive no compensation for the products mentioned in this article*
