Personalized Treatment for Eye Allergies

Eye Allergy Treatment in Melbourne, FL

See an eye allergy specialist. Dr. Pavana Beerelli is a board certified allergist in Melbourne, Florida that can help you find relief from your eye allergies. Contact us at Melbourne Allergy & Asthma to learn more about testing, symptom management, and eye allergy treatment options for you and your children!

“I truly can’t sing enough praise for Dr. Beerelli and her team. From the moment I walked in the office, I was treated with the utmost respect and professionalism. She was prompt, took the time to listen to my concerns regarding my environmental allergies, and did not rush me to get to her next patient. Her treatment plan has made a world of a difference for me thus far. On top of it all, her new office is so clean, stylish and chic – you will not be disappointed!”

– Alexandra C, August 2021

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Eye Allergy Doctor Dr. Pavana Beerelli of Melbourne Allergy & Asthma review badges and affiliations

Eye Allergy Overview

Eye Allergy Overview

Symptoms

Testing

Treatment

Eye allergies occur when something you are allergic to comes into contact with the antibodies attached to the mast cells in your eyes. This reaction causes the cells to release antihistamines and other substances, which then cause the blood vessels in your eye to leak and become itchy, red, and watery. Eye allergies specifically affect the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the eye and the inside of the eyelid, which is why eye allergies are medically referred to as allergic conjunctivitis or some other specific type of conjunctivitis.

Eye allergies can be caused by seasonal outdoor allergies, year-round indoor allergens, and even contact lenses. Specific types of eye allergies have been defined by allergists to help distinguish cause and personalize eye allergy treatment.

Teenager experiencing eye allergy symptoms in Melbourne, FL

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is caused by seasonal outdoor allergens such as pollen, grass, or mold spores. far the most common type of eye allergy. This is by far the most common type of eye allergy. Seasonal eye allergies often present alongside runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion symptoms that are typical of hay fever and other seasonal allergies.

Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis

Perennial allergic conjunctivitis is caused by year-round, indoor allergens like pet dander and dust mites.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a specific type of seasonal eye allergy that tends to affect boys and young men that also have eczema or asthma. If left untreated, this type of eye allergy can impair vision.

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis

Atopic keratoconjunctivities is another specific type of perennial eye allergy that affects older individuals, mostly older men with a history of allergic dermatitis. If left untreated, atopic keratoconjunctivitis can result in scarring of the cornea and the delicate membrane of the cornea.

Contact Allergic Conjunctivitis

Contact allergic conjunctivitis can affect individuals that wear contact lenses, causing lens discomfort. In this case, allergies are caused by irritation from the contact lenses or by proteins from tears that stick to the surface of a contact lens.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a form of contact allergic conjunctivitis that can also affect individuals that wear contact lenses. This type of eye allergy causes fluid sacs to form in the upper lining of the inner eyelid, causing more severe eye symptoms.

Eye Allergy Symptoms

While eye allergies share symptoms with other diseases of the eye, a distinguishing feature of eye allergies is that they usually affect both eyes simultaneously, whereas eye infections and other non-allergic eye irritations usually only affect one eye. Symptoms of eye allergy can range from mildly annoying redness to severe inflammation that can impair vision.

For most individuals with eye allergies, symptoms include:

Redness
Itching
Burning
Excessive tearing
Puffy eyelids
Dark circles under the eyes

However, for more serious types of eye allergies, symptoms can also include:

Production of thick mucus
Feeling of having something in the eye
Aversion to light
Blurred vision

If your symptoms persist, an eye allergy specialist can help you get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Eye Allergy Testing

Eye allergy testing typically begins with a visual examination of your eyes with a microscope. During this test, Dr. Beerelli is looking to see if blood vessels are swollen on the surface of the eye, and she may also scrape a sample from your conjunctiva and test it for white blood cells that are overrepresented in areas of the eye affected by allergies.

Dr. Beerelli may also run other allergy tests, including blood tests and skin tests, to help you better understand your allergies. Taken together, these testing techniques will help Dr. Beerelli develop a personalized treatment plan to help you get relief from your eye allergies.

Woman using eye drops to treat allergies

Eye Allergy Treatment

Eye allergy treatment can consist of allergen avoidance techniques, eyedrops, oral medications, and/or allergy shots. A variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications are used to treat eye allergies, and their effectiveness will depend on your medical history, your symptoms, and what you’re allergic to.

Allergen Avoidance

To prevent allergic reactions to trigger foods, it is important to know the ingredients of all foods you eat. Whether you are buying food from a store or ordering food from a restaurant, always read the food labels and ask about ingredients.

Eyedrops

For mild food reactions, antihistamines can relieve symptoms. Severe allergic reactions may require injection with epinephrine (adrenaline), so be sure to have an EpiPen with you at all times and know how to use it.

Over-The-Counter Eyedrops

Tear Substitutes: Artificial tears can be used to wash allergens from the eye, moisten the eye, and provide a soothing sensation. These drops are safe to use as frequently as needed in adults and children of any age.

Decongestant Eyedrops: Decongestant eyedrops reduce the redness associated with eye allergies by narrowing the blood vessels in the eye. When using over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops, It’s very important that you follow the instructions on the label. Prolonged use of some eye drops can cause a “rebound” effect that actually makes eye allergy symptoms worse. Decongestant eyedrops are also known to interact poorly with certain conditions like glaucoma.

Prescription Eyedrops

Antihistamine Eyedrops: Antihistamine eyedrops can reduce itching, redness, and swelling. They are safe in adults and in children 3 years and older.

Mast Cell Stabilizer Eyedrops: Mast cell stabilizer eyedrops can help prevent allergy symptoms if taken prior to allergen exposure. They are safe in adults and in children 3 years and older.

Combination Antihistamine and Mast Cell Stabilizer Eyedrops: These newer eyedrops contain both antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer components, providing symptom relief and prevention.

NSAID Eyedrops: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eyedrops can help relieve itching.

Corticosteroid Eyedrops: Corticosteroid eyedrops are prescribed for chronic, severe eye allergy symptoms. Corticosteroid eye drops are effective, but can have serious side effects, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and infection. Long-term use of corticosteroid eye drops should be overseen by your allergist to ensure that these risks are appropriately managed.

Oral Antihistamines

Oral antihistamines can also provide short-term eye allergy symptom relief. Over-the-counter antihistamines can cause side effects such as sedation, excitability dizziness, or disturbed coordination. On the other hand, non-sedating prescriptive oral antihistamines typically do not cause these side effects. Long-term reliance on over-the-counter or prescriptive antihistamines is not recommended for eye allergies because they can cause dryness and potentially worsen eye allergy symptoms.

Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)

Allergy shots can provide long-term resistance to certain allergens. Allergy shots work by improving your tolerance to the substance that’s causing your allergic reactions. Tiny amounts of the allergen are injected with gradually increasing doses over time.

References

[1] American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: https://acaai.org/
[2] Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: https://www.aafa.org/

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