Allergic conjunctivitis is the eye's reaction to something in the air. Itching is the main sign, usually in both eyes, together with watering, redness and puffy eyelids.
Common triggers are pollen, which is high in spring and early summer (roughly August to November in Gauteng), house dust mites and pet hair.
Try not to rub your eyes. Rubbing makes the itch worse, and frequent hard rubbing has been linked to changes in the shape of the cornea.
Cool compresses and lubricating drops soothe the eyes and rinse allergens away. Anti-allergy eye drops can help further, and your optometrist or pharmacist can advise which one suits you. Contact lens wearers may be more comfortable in daily disposable lenses or spectacles during a flare-up.
It may be more than an allergy if only one eye is affected, if the eye is painful or sensitive to light, if there is a sticky discharge or if your vision becomes blurred. Please contact us if any of these happen.