With spring coming to a close and summer ready to make its way in, many people have already spent the past couple of months dealing with hay fever allergies. Ocular allergies are another condition that many have to deal with, and these can either be tied up with other types of allergies or cause their own independent reactions. If anything feels off to you, it is important that you go to your eye doctor in Oshkosh, WI to see just what you are dealing with to make sure your eye health and vision isn’t in danger.
Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis
The most common type of ocular allergy is seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), which typically flares up when the pollen count is high during the spring, summer and early fall months. The symptoms of perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) are very similar to the seasonal form of the allergy, but are comparatively milder.
The itching or burning that comes along with these conditions is often intense, and if you are suffering from these allergies, you will likely want to rub your eyes with greater frequency. This rubbing can exacerbate some of the other symptoms, though, such as eye redness or puffiness. A watery discharge and sensitivity to bright lights are also signs that you could be dealing with SAC or PAC, and if you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult with your optometrist as soon as you can.
Vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis
As vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis are more serious than SAC and PAC, the symptoms are more severe, and tend to worsen throughout the year. These two types of allergies are marked by relentless itching, burning and redness, and are most usually found in male patients. The sensitivity to light is heightened, and atopic keratoconjunctivitis could potentially create mucus in the eye that is so thick that the eyelids could stick together upon waking up. These allergies can potentially cause serious damage to the eye, so if you notice any of these symptoms, you should get with your eye doctor immediately.
Contact lens-related allergies
Contact lenses can be lifesavers for those who need to wear them, but just like with any other allergy, there will always be a group of individuals whose eyes reject the lenses, causing a reaction to occur. Some of the signs of these allergies include itchiness, puffiness, mucus discharge, blurred vision and general discomfort. If you notice any of these symptoms, speak with your eye doctor and see if there is an alternative solution that will still allow you to wear contacts, such as finding a better fit with a different brand.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important for you to speak with your eye doctor in Oshkosh, WI right away before the pain becomes unmanageable and your eye is severely damaged. For a quality exam that you can trust, call us at Dr. Jill’s Optical Shoppe. Your eye health is very important to us, and we want to help you manage and possibly prevent any potential allergies you may have to deal with. Make sure you give us a call and set up an appointment today!