Many eye conditions share similar symptoms, and this can sometimes make it difficult to determine which issue we’re suffering from. Without an accurate diagnosis from an eye doctor, it's difficult to know which treatments will be effective at reducing our symptoms. Two eye conditions that are most often confused with one another are dry eye and eye allergies.

While visiting your eye doctor should be a priority so that you get an official diagnosis, here’s some information that could give you an idea about which one you are affected by.

 

Dry Eye

Most people will experience dry eye during their lifetime. Also known as dry eye syndrome, it occurs when your naturally-occurring tear film is poor quality, not enough is being produced, or tears drain from your eyes too quickly. In any of these instances, the eyes don’t have the lubrication that they need to keep them healthy and comfortable.

Dry eye syndrome can affect anyone, but it is more likely to affect some groups of people than others. Some of the most common risk factors include:

 

• Being over the age of 50

• Spending a lot of time in dry, dusty, or windy environments

• Wearing contact lenses

• Suffering from specific health conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome or an autoimmune disorder

• Taking medications where dry eye is listed as a side effect, including some antihistamines and antidepressants

Symptoms of Dry Eye

There are a number of symptoms associated with dry eye. These include:

• Eye pain

• Stiffness and eyes that feel dry and dehydrated

• Blurred vision

• Irritation and feeling as though there is a foreign object in your eye

• Infrequent, sudden flooding of tears

These symptoms may come and go, but if you experience them chronically, it’s important to make an appointment with your eye doctor.

There are lots of different treatments that are used to relieve the symptoms of dry eyes, and it can be a case of trial and error to find the one that is most effective for you. Your eye doctor will be happy to help you find the right solution for you.

 

Eye Allergies

Eye allergies share many of the same symptoms as dry eye. However, they have a different underlying cause. Eye allergies occur when your eyes come into contact with a usually harmless substance that your body sees as dangerous. Different people have different allergy triggers, but most eye allergies are seasonal, meaning that they get worse at certain times of the year when that specific allergen is around more than usual. For example, spring causes excessive amounts of grass and flower pollen to be released into the air. If this is your allergy trigger, your allergy symptoms will be much worse at this time.

There are countless potential allergy triggers, but the most common include pollen, dust, mold, ragweed, smoke, and pet dander. Allergies also run in the family, so if you have a parent or grandparent with allergies, you may be more likely to experience them too.

 Symptoms of Eye Allergies

Although eye allergies share many of the same symptoms as dry eye, they are also usually accompanied by a few others, including:

• A runny nose

• Cough

• Congestion

• Skin irritation

• Red, swollen eyes

Occasionally, eye allergies can also cause conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. This usually doesn’t require any treatment unless the infection becomes bacterial, in which case your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

If you are experiencing any of the dry eye or seasonal allergy symptoms listed here, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated eyecare team at Giannotti Vision Care in Scotts Valley, California. Call us at (831) 438-4482 today!