Pollen and allergic conjunctivitis: coping with peak eye itch

Features of the symptoms

Both eyes itch, turn red and water at the same time, with a feeling of something in the eye and mild sensitivity to light. They often occur together with nasal symptoms. Seasonal attacks that get worse after contact with green areas or in windy weather are typical clues. Some people also have mild swelling of the eyelids.

Order of steps to take on the spot

• Leave the environment with a high pollen count as soon as possible, go indoors and close the windows
• Rinse the surface of the eye with artificial tears to wash away the particles that stick to it, and use a cold compress to ease the itching
• Be sure to keep your hands away: rubbing your eyes makes the release of inflammatory mediators worse, and the more you rub, the more it itches
• When outdoors, wear glasses or goggles that cover the eyes well to reduce direct contact

Seeing a doctor and long-term management

If symptoms are obvious, keep coming back, or affect work or study, you should be assessed by an ophthalmology or allergy department, and a doctor will choose suitable eye drops and a combined plan. Using eye drops that contain steroids or vasoconstrictors on your own for a long time carries risks, and buying and using them yourself is not advised. If you have obvious eye pain, reduced vision, a large amount of discharge or discomfort of the cornea, you should seek medical care as soon as possible.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.