Dry Eyes vs. Allergies: How to Tell the Difference

Itchy, red, scratchy eyes? It’s something that loads of people suffer from, but is it an allergy, or is it dry eyes? The issue with both conditions is that they can have very similar, overlapping symptoms. Not only that, but you can potentially suffer from both at the same time! However, never fear… Because there is a difference between dry eye and allergy symptoms—you just might need a bit of professional help to determine what yours are.

While mild cases might be a case of simply heading to the drug store for some OTC eye drops or antihistamines, the key to reducing or preventing genuine eye discomfort is a definitive diagnosis.

OK, if the only time you’re symptomatic is during certain times of the year and popping a Claritin or Zyrtec solves the problem, then it’s almost a given that it’s a mild allergy to some kind of pollen. But if there are no obvious triggers and the symptoms are driving you nuts? Well, it’s time to seek help.

Itchy Eyes from Allergies or Chronic Dry Eye? Causes, Diagnosis, & Treatment

Let’s first address one of the common misunderstandings about the condition we call dry eye. The name is somewhat confusing because, although it can be that your eyes do feel dry and scratchy, it can also commonly cause excessive watering. This is because the underlying cause is that one or both eyes either don’t produce enough tears or that what they do produce isn’t of significant quality to effectively lubricate the eye.

If it’s the latter, then the body will try to compensate by producing more. But because they’re sub-par, the eye still isn’t adequately lubricated. So, more are produced, and the vicious circle continues.

However, the underlying cause of allergies is in response to an allergen. This might be some kind of pollen, grass seed, or could be something else, such as:

• Smoke.
• Mold.
• Pet dander.
• Dust.
• Exhaust fumes.
• Dust mites.
• Perfumes.
• Certain medications.

The list is long, but these are some of the most common. When you come into contact with whatever it is that you’re allergic to, the antibodies within the eye’s mast cells react by releasing histamine (and other chemicals) to defend against the perceived invader. Excessive histamine causes the blood vessels within the eyes to expand and leak. This itches, causes redness, and makes the eyes water.

There are many different names and types of this condition, including allergic conjunctivitis or, if it’s seasonal, then the condition we refer to as hayfever.

While it’s not always the case (there’s always the exception to the rule, after all…), in general, dry eyes tend to lack the intense itching. However, the only way to definitively know if it’s dry eyes vs. allergies is to seek help from an eye doctor. They will not only ask you about your symptoms but also carry out an in-depth assessment and examination of the eyes and surrounding tissues.

To throw another spanner in the works, some common medications used to treat allergies can affect the quality and/or level of tears you produce. This means that the treatment you need to control your allergy creates the very conditions that cause dry eyes. 

Other chronic dry eye causes include:

• Getting older (and there’s not a lot we can do about that…).
• A dry climate or constant exposure to air conditioning and/or heating.
• Certain medications, such as decongestants, HRT, beta blockers, or the aforementioned antihistamines.
• Wearing contact lenses.
• Excessive screen time, as we tend not to blink so much when staring at our cell phones or a computer.
• Other medical issues, including problems with your tear ducts, eyelid deformities/drooping, autoimmune conditions, and more.

The key takeaway is that while dry eyes and allergies are two different conditions, it is possible to suffer from them both. Rather than self-diagnosis, it can’t be recommended enough that you seek ophthalmologist help. The symptoms of both conditions can be miserable, but simple treatment is usually highly effective—as long as it targets the root cause of the problem.

The West Boca Eye Center offers a dedicated dry eye and allergy service. 

Discover more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/dry-eyes-allergies and call today to schedule an appointment.

Itchy, red, scratchy eyes? It’s something that loads of people suffer from, but is it an allergy, or is it dry eyes?

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