Dry Eyes Caused by Allergies: Which Eye Drops Work Best?

Allergies can be caused by both outdoor and indoor allergens, like dust mites and pet dander. They can lead to many eye-related symptoms, including dry eyes. To reduce the symptoms of allergy-induced dry eyes, people often use over-the-counter eye drops for eye allergies. Different eye drops have different ingredients to treat specific issues. For example, eye drops for dry eyes are different from eye drops for eye allergies. So, it’s important to choose the best one for your needs.

Here, you will learn about the different causes and symptoms of dry eyes caused by allergies, types of drops, the best eye drops for allergies and some tips for managing allergy-related dry eyes.

• Causes and symptoms of allergy-induced dry eyes
• Types of eye drops for allergy-related dry eyes
• Best eye drops for allergies
• Tips for managing allergy-related dry eyes

Causes and symptoms of allergy-induced dry eyes

Allergies can be triggered by environmental factors, such as pet dander, dust mites, smoke or pollen. This is also known as allergic conjunctivitis. Generally, allergies affect both eyes and apart from environmental factors, certain medicines, such as decongestants or antihistamines, can also trigger allergies.

If you have dry eyes caused by allergies, then you might have symptoms including:

• Discharge of mucus or runny nose
• Fluctuating cloudy vision
• Puffy or swollen eyelids
• Stinging or burning sensation in the eyes
• Bloodshot/red eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Gritty eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Eye discharge
• Excessive watery eyes
• Discomfort while wearing contact lenses

Certified Optician Recommendations

Tina Patel, in-house optician at Feel Good Contacts, says “Use allergy eye drops to soothe your symptoms and make your eyes feel better. Eye drops for eye allergies will moisturise your eyes and reduce irritation.”

Furthermore, Tina explains that we should “Wear sunglasses outdoors, which also acts as a physical barrier and minimises exposure to allergens.”

Types of eye drops for allergy-related dry eyes

When you have an allergic reaction to something like dust mites, your body releases a chemical called histamine. Due to this, you may experience allergy symptoms, like red eyes. In such cases, it is advised to use eye drops that specifically address allergies instead of artificial tears, which can only provide you with short-term relief. There are different types of allergy eye drops, including:

1. Artificial tears

These drops are your go-to choice for hydrating dry eyes, as they boost the quantity and quality of your tears. There are many artificial tears available on the market with different features and ingredients that can help improve the symptoms of eye allergies.

2. Antihistamine eye drops

Also known as allergy drops, antihistamine eye drops have an antihistamine as the main ingredient. This ingredient blocks the body’s histamine, which leads to many allergy-related symptoms, like red and itchy eyes. These drops provide quick, short-term relief of your symptoms.

3. Mast cell stabilisers

These eye drops slow down the release of histamine and other chemicals from your body and take a longer time to work. Mast cell stabilisers prevent dry eye symptoms. They can be used for several months with no side effects, and they are compatible with contact lenses as well.

4. Combination eye drops

Also known as multiple-action or dual-action eye drops, these drops help reduce multiple symptoms, including itchy eyes, red eyes, watery eyes and any burning sensation in the eyes. Combination drops are comparatively new and helpful for people suffering from allergic conjunctivitis.

5. Preservative-free eye drops

Preservative-free eye drops do not contain additives, making them ideal for individuals who wear contact lenses and have sensitive eyes.

The type of allergy eye drops you use will be decided by factors like the cause of your allergy, your symptoms and the severity of your allergies.

Best eye drops for allergies

If you are after eye drops to help soothe eye allergies, you may consider:

Optase Allergy Preservative-Free Eye Drops

• Treats dry eyes due to allergic conjunctivitis and hay fever
• Quickly and effectively alleviates watery, red, irritated and itchy eyes
• Can be used with or without contact lenses
• Preservative-free and suitable for sensitive eyes
• Offered in convenient single-use vials

Tips for managing allergy-related dry eyes

Apart from using eye drops, some other tips to manage your dry eyes caused by allergies are:

1. You can switch to daily contact lenses. Dailies are less likely to have a build-up of dirt, debris and allergens in the eye as they are discarded after one use.
2. You can use a reusable cold eye compress, such as The Eye Doctor Allergy Hay Fever Compress. It can help relieve symptoms from eye allergies and hay fever, including migraines, headaches, eye inflammation, puffy eyes and itchy eyes.

3. Avoid using makeup and if you do, consider using hypoallergenic makeup and make sure to remove your makeup before going to bed. Use OPTASE LIFE Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover to gently remove your eye makeup and hydrate the surrounding eye area. People with sensitive eyes will especially benefit from this preservative-free eye makeup remover, which can also be used on false eyelashes.

When you are experiencing any symptoms of dry eyes caused by allergies, eye drops will help ease them. However, if your symptoms do not improve after a few days, consult your optometrist for help. Make sure to carefully read the label of any products to ensure they are safe and if you are unsure, you can ask your optician which eye drops will be suitable for you.

Disclaimer: The advice in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical care or an in-person check-up. Please check with an eyecare professional before purchasing any products or remedies. For information on our article review process, please refer to our Editorial Policy.