Eye irritation, pain, and light sensitivity can be so overwhelming to the extent that it interferes with your daily activities. You may try a medication but find it does not work. Why? Dry eyes and seasonal allergies have the same symptoms. To get effective treatment, you need to distinguish which is which. Here are some facts to help you out.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that results from low-quality or a low quantity of tears. That means your eyes may not produce enough tears, or there may be an issue with your meibomian glands. These glands produce the oil part of your tears; without oil, the tears evaporate, leaving your eyes dry.

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Allergies are a result of the action of histamine in your body. Histamine is a hormonal compound that cells release in response to injury, inflammatory, or allergic reactions. The hormone causes the dilation of capillaries and the contraction of smooth muscles. 

The reaction is an immune response to protect your body and regulate physiological functions. As the body does this, it tries to remove allergens or other threats. Consequently, you experience symptoms that are similar to dry eyes. In fact, it may also cause dry eyes.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

As the name suggests, the condition leaves your eyes dry. With your eyes lacking the tears to lubricate them, you will experience the following symptoms:
 

• Burning sensation

• Feeling like there is something in your eye

• Redness

• Sensitivity to light

• Blurry vision

• Tired eyes

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

Eye allergies have similar symptoms to dry eye, but some are distinct. The most notable one is itchiness. The itchiness may be so severe that it causes you to rub your eyes until they turn red. Other symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
 

• Redness

• Burning sensation

• Sensitivity to light

• Watery eyes

• Eyelid swelling

• Under-eye circles

The first three are similar to the symptoms of dry eyes, while the latter three distinguish seasonal allergies. As the histamine compound tries to flush out the allergens, it causes an inflammatory reaction. 

Hence, the skin around your eyes becomes puffy, leaving you with allergic shiners or dark under-eye circles. Note that the eyes with seasonal allergies will be watery, unlike dry eyes, as the tears constantly tear up to remove the allergens.

Treatment

The treatment for each will depend on the underlying factors, which determine the symptoms. Using eye drops for allergies can make dry eye symptoms worse. As such, you need an accurate diagnosis to get the appropriate treatment.

When treating seasonal allergies, remember that the aim is to prevent further exposure to allergens. Afterward, you can get an oral antihistamine to help fight the reaction. You can consider eye drops for instant relief. 

However, ensure that they are preservative-free. Dry eyes may need varied treatment based on the cause. However, you can also use eye drops or artificial tears. When you do, make sure they are free of preservatives.

For more information on dry eyes or seasonal allergies, contact Nolo Eye Care + Eyewear Gallery at our Nolensville, Tennessee office. Call (615) 283-7321 to schedule an appointment today.