Eye Allergy Season

Ah, the wonders of spring.  Flowers are blooming, grass is growing, and seasonal allergies are wreaking havoc on all of my patients.  Here are some suggestions as to what you can do to minimize the effects of these seasonal allergies:

• Take an "over the counter" anti-histamine.  These come in "drowsy" and "non-drowsy" versions.  The "drowsy" products are the strongest and most effective, but they can make you feel like it's nap time. 
• Prepare for your outing (golf, hike, etc.) in advance by pre-medicating either with a systemic anti-histamine product and/or an anti-histamine eye drop to control your allergy symptoms.  
• Take a look at your environment and attempt to set it up to minimize the effects of seasonal allergies:  Set up your sleeping area with an air purifier, close the windows at night (cool air will enter the house through open windows and bring pollen, etc. along with it), try to make all the products you use as hypo-allergenic as possible.  
• Don't overlook "home remedies" such as cool compresses over the eyes, chamomile tea bags (cool of course) and cucumber slices over the eyes.

Finally, if you are unable to get sufficient help from the above suggestions, visit your health care professional or your vision care specialist for a thorough work up.  New medications are available with prescription that can offer significant help for allergy sufferers.