Eye allergy is one of the most common visual discomforts during the spring, especially in areas such as Fuengirola, Malaga and the Costa del Sol, where pollen, wind, temperature changes and environmental exposure can cause eye irritation.
Many people consult for itchy eyes, tearing, redness, a gritty sensation or swelling of the eyelids, thinking that it is infectious conjunctivitis or simply eyestrain. In many cases, however, the cause may be an allergic reaction.
Although eye allergy is usually a benign problem, it can be very uncomfortable and affect the patient's quality of life. Moreover, not all red or irritated eyes are due to an allergy, so it is important to recognise the symptoms and see an ophthalmologist when warning signs appear.
At Clínica Oftalmológica Dr. Nebro, in Fuengirola, we assess each case individually to differentiate an ocular allergy from other problems such as infectious conjunctivitis, dry eye, blepharitis, keratitis or other ocular pathologies.
What is eye allergy
Ocular allergy is an inflammatory reaction that occurs when the surface of the eye comes into contact with substances that the immune system identifies as allergens. The most common triggers include pollen, dust mites, animal hair, mould, some cosmetics, chemical products and certain environments laden with irritating particles.
When the eye comes into contact with these substances, an inflammatory response can occur in the conjunctiva, which is the transparent membrane that lines the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. This inflammation can cause symptoms such as itching, redness, tearing and a burning sensation.
Allergic conjunctivitis is often referred to as allergic conjunctivitis, as the conjunctiva is one of the most affected structures. However, it should not be confused with infectious conjunctivitis, which can be caused by viruses or bacteria and can be managed differently. In the clinic's blog we already have related information on conjunctivitis in children, a common problem in children that can also cause red, watery and itchy eyes.
Most common symptoms of eye allergy
The symptoms of eye allergy can vary from person to person. Some patients experience mild discomfort for a few days, while others experience recurrent episodes every spring or every time they come into contact with certain allergens.
The following are the most common symptoms.
Intense itching of the eyes
Eye itching is probably the most characteristic symptom of eye allergy. Many patients describe a profound itching sensation, a constant need to rub their eyes or persistent discomfort that worsens when outdoors, in contact with dust, pollen, animals or in certain environments.
Although rubbing the eyes may produce an immediate feeling of relief, it is not recommended. Repeated rubbing can increase inflammation, further irritate the ocular surface and promote small lesions. In addition, in some patients it may worsen the sensation of redness and swelling of the eyelids.
In children, itching can be very evident because they tend to rub their eyes frequently. In adults, it is often accompanied by tearing, itching, a feeling of eyestrain and discomfort when using screens or spending a long time outdoors.
When itching is intense, recurrent or appears every year at the same time, it is advisable to have an ophthalmological assessment to confirm whether it is an eye allergy and to rule out other problems such as dry eye, blepharitis or infectious conjunctivitis. In the case of the youngest children, you can find more information in our article on itchy eyes in children.
Red or irritated eyes
Eye redness is another common allergy symptom. It is caused by inflammation of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva, which makes the white part of the eye look more reddish or congested.
The patient's eyes may feel “loaded”, “irritated” or “bloodshot”. In some cases, the redness appears bilaterally, affecting both eyes, although it may be more intense in one eye. It may also be accompanied by a sensation of warmth, stinging, tearing or heaviness of the eyelids.
It is important to bear in mind that red eyes are not always due to allergy. They can also appear due to dry eye, contact lens use, infectious conjunctivitis, exposure to irritating products, trauma, keratitis or internal inflammation of the eye. For this reason, when we speak of persistent eye redness, it is important to differentiate it from other causes of red eyes or conjunctival hyperemia.
When eye redness is accompanied by pain, loss of vision, intense photophobia or abundant secretion, it should not be considered a simple allergy. In these cases, it is advisable to see an ophthalmologist for a complete examination.
Excessive tearing
Eye allergy can lead to increased tearing as a defence mechanism of the eye against irritation. Tearing attempts to dilute and remove allergens from the ocular surface, but when inflammation persists, tearing can become very uncomfortable.
In ocular allergy, the tearing is usually clear and watery. This helps to differentiate it from some infectious conjunctivitis, where thicker, yellowish or greenish secretions may appear, especially on waking.
Tearing may be worse when going outdoors, on windy days, during periods of high pollen counts or when in contact with animals, dust or irritating environments. It may also be associated with sneezing, nasal congestion or allergic rhinitis, as many patients have ocular and respiratory symptoms at the same time.
However, tearing does not always indicate allergy. Some people with dry eye syndrome may also present reflex tearing, because the eye tries to compensate for the irritation by producing more tears, although these are not always of good quality. Therefore, when tearing is persistent or is accompanied by a sensation of grit, blurred vision or discomfort when reading, the ocular surface should be assessed.
Eyelid swelling
Swelling of the eyelids may occur in episodes of eye allergy, especially when the patient rubs his or her eyes frequently or has had intense exposure to the allergen. This swelling may be mild, with a feeling of heavy eyelids, or more obvious, giving the face a tired or puffy appearance.
In some cases, the swelling is more marked in the morning, while in others it worsens throughout the day, especially if the patient stays in dusty, polleny, windy or air-conditioned environments. It may be accompanied by itching, tearing, redness and a feeling of pressure around the eyes.
It is important to differentiate eyelid swelling of allergic origin from other conditions, such as styes, blepharitis, eyelid infections or irritant reactions to cosmetics, creams or facial hygiene products.
When the inflammation affects only one eye, there is pain, local heat, discharge or difficulty opening the eyelid, it is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out other causes that may require specific treatment.
Gritty or foreign body sensation
Some patients with ocular allergy describe a gritty, foreign body or rubbing sensation when blinking. Although this symptom is most often associated with dry eye, it can also occur in allergic conditions due to inflammation of the ocular surface.
The gritty sensation may be more intense at the end of the day, after being outdoors or after several hours of using screens. Sometimes the patient notices that they need to blink more or apply artificial tears for relief.
This symptom is particularly important because it can lead to confusion between ocular allergy, dry eye and other eye surface disorders. Moreover, when accompanied by pain, sensitivity to light or blurred vision, it may indicate corneal involvement, such as a keratitis or other problem that needs to be assessed.
For this reason, if the foreign body sensation persists or does not improve with basic measures, an ophthalmological examination is advisable to assess the conjunctiva, cornea, tear film and eyelids.
Eye allergy or conjunctivitis - how to tell the difference
One of the most frequent doubts is whether the symptoms correspond to an eye allergy or an infectious conjunctivitis. Both can cause red eyes, tearing and irritation, but there are some differences that can guide the diagnosis.
When itching predominates, it is usually indicative of allergy.
Intense itching is one of the most indicative signs of eye allergy. If the patient notices an urge to rub the eyes, discomfort in both eyes and symptoms that worsen in spring or after exposure to dust, pollen or animals, an allergic component is likely to be present.
In addition, ocular allergy usually produces a watery, clear, non-purulent discharge. It may be accompanied by sneezing, nasal congestion, rhinitis or a personal history of allergy.
Thick discharge may be infectious conjunctivitis.
In infectious conjunctivitis, especially bacterial conjunctivitis, it is more common to find thick discharge, abundant discharge, and a feeling of glued eyelids on waking. Sometimes it starts in one eye and later affects the other.
In these cases, the treatment may be different, so it is not advisable to use antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops without medical assessment. An examination can determine whether the origin is allergic, viral, bacterial or irritative.
This point is especially important in children, as conjunctivitis in children is a common cause of consultation and can be confused with allergic processes. You can find more information in the article on conjunctivitis in children.
Why you should not self-medicate with eye drops
Many patients use eye drops they have at home or treatments that worked for them in the past. However, not all red eyes are treated the same. Inappropriate use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids can mask symptoms, delay diagnosis or cause side effects.
In the case of topical corticosteroids, their use should always be monitored by a specialist, as they can be risky if used unsupervised or for longer than necessary.
Therefore, in case of persistent eye irritation, especially if there is pain, blurred vision or sensitivity to light, it is preferable to have an ophthalmological assessment before starting any treatment.
Ocular allergy and dry eye: two problems that can be confused
Eye allergy and dry eye can share symptoms such as irritation, itching, redness, gritty sensation and tearing. However, they are not the same and their treatment can vary.
Main differences between eye allergy and dry eye
Eye allergy is usually dominated by itching. Symptoms may appear seasonally, especially in spring, or upon exposure to a particular allergen. It is also often associated with rhinitis, sneezing or nasal congestion.
Dry eye, on the other hand, is usually dominated by a feeling of dryness, grit, burning, fluctuating blurred vision and discomfort when reading, driving or using screens. It can also worsen in dry, air-conditioned, windy or heated environments.
It is important to differentiate between the two conditions because the treatment is not always the same. In some cases it will be necessary to control the allergy, while in others it will be necessary to treat the alteration of the tear film or inflammation of the ocular surface. At Dr. Nebro Ophthalmology Clinic we have a Advanced Dry Eye Unit in Fuengirola to specifically assess this type of symptom.
When allergy and dry eye occur at the same time
It is not uncommon for a patient to have dry eye and, in addition, for it to worsen during the spring due to exposure to pollen or environmental irritants. In these cases, symptoms can be more intense and difficult to control if each problem is not properly addressed.
An altered ocular surface can be more sensitive to the environment and react worse to wind, dust or pollen. This is why some dry eye patients experience more discomfort in spring, even if they do not have a severe eye allergy.
When there is persistent discomfort, fluctuating blurred vision, a gritty sensation or intolerance to screens and dry environments, a specific assessment of the tear film and ocular surface may be recommended.
What can make eye allergy worse in spring?
During spring, certain factors can intensify eye allergy symptoms. Knowing about them helps prevent flare-ups and reduce discomfort.
Pollen and environmental particles
Pollen is one of the most common triggers of eye allergy in spring. On windy days or on days with a high concentration of pollen, the particles can come into contact with the surface of the eye and cause itching, watering, redness and inflammation.
Allergy sufferers may notice that their symptoms worsen when going outdoors, walking in green areas, driving with the windows open or staying on terraces and in open spaces. On the Costa del Sol, moreover, wind, dryness and exposure to the sun can increase eye irritation. Cars have anti-pollen filters that need to be changed from time to time to ensure they do their job.
Wearing sunglasses outdoors can help reduce the direct contact of allergens with the eyes. It is also advisable to avoid rubbing your eyes when coming in from the street and to maintain proper eyelid and eyelash hygiene if there is a lot of environmental exposure.
Eye rubbing
Rubbing the eyes is one of the most frequent gestures when itching appears, but also one of the most likely to worsen the condition. Repeated rubbing can increase the release of inflammatory mediators, irritate the conjunctiva and make the redness more intense.
In addition, rubbing your eyes with your hands can introduce more particles, dirt or micro-organisms to the surface of the eye. This can aggravate irritation and increase the risk of complications, especially in contact lens wearers.
In the event of itching, it is preferable to apply safe measures, such as artificial tears indicated by the specialist, gentle washing of the eyelid area or local cold in a controlled manner, always avoiding direct pressure on the eyeball.
Repeated and intense eye rubbing in children can cause corneal problems that can be serious and may lead to keratoconus.
Contact lens wear
Contact lenses can increase discomfort during eye allergy episodes. Pollen and other particles can adhere to the contact lens surface, prolonging the contact of the allergen with the eye and promoting irritation.
Contact lens wearers may experience increased dryness, foreign body sensation, itching or progressive intolerance to lenses during the spring. In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily reduce contact lens wear, to be more hygienic, or to consider switching to spectacles for the duration of the episode.
If a contact lens wearer develops pain, blurred vision, photophobia or intense foreign body sensation, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist, as these symptoms may be related to corneal problems that require attention.
Air conditioning and dry environments
Air conditioning, common in the warmer months, can worsen both eye allergy and dry eye by drawing water out of the air and drying it out. Dry environments encourage tear evaporation and can increase the sensation of grit, burning and irritation.
In air-conditioned offices, shops, vehicles or homes, some patients notice that symptoms intensify at the end of the day. It can also occur in environments with fans, waste heat, smoke, dust or poor ventilation.
To reduce discomfort, it may be helpful to avoid direct airflow into the eyes, to take visual breaks when working with screens and to consult a specialist on the appropriate use of artificial tears.
Treatment of ocular allergy
Treatment depends on the intensity of the symptoms, the frequency of outbreaks, the patient's history and the presence of other associated problems such as dry eye, blepharitis or contact lens wear.
General measures to alleviate symptoms
In mild cases, some measures can help to reduce discomfort. Avoiding direct exposure to the allergen, wearing sunglasses outdoors, not rubbing the eyes and maintaining proper eyelid hygiene are basic recommendations.
Artificial tears can help cleanse the ocular surface and improve comfort, especially if there is associated irritation. However, it is important to choose suitable products and avoid non-indicated eye drops, especially if symptoms are frequent.
It may also be useful to shower or wash your face when coming in from the street on days of high pollen exposure, as well as to ventilate your home at times of lower pollen concentration.
Treatment with specific eye drops
When symptoms are more severe, the ophthalmologist may prescribe antihistamine eye drops, mast cell stabilisers, anti-inflammatory drugs or other specific treatments. The choice depends on the type of allergy, the severity of the symptoms and the individual patient's situation.
In some cases, treatment is used for a specific period in the spring. In other patients with more persistent allergies, a more prolonged management plan may be necessary.
The most important thing is to avoid self-medication, especially with eye drops containing corticosteroids. Although they can be effective in certain cases, they should always be used under medical supervision and advice.
When it may be necessary to coordinate with the allergist
Some patients present with eye allergy together with respiratory symptoms such as rhinitis, nasal congestion, frequent sneezing or asthma. In these cases, a joint or coordinated assessment with allergology may be advisable.
A comprehensive approach helps to better control symptoms and identify the main triggers. This is especially useful in patients with repeated episodes, severe symptoms or poor response to usual measures.
When to see an ophthalmologist
Although ocular allergy is usually a benign process, there are situations in which it is advisable to go for a check-up.
Children rubbing their eyes.
You should consult an ophthalmologist if itching, redness or tearing do not improve, if symptoms recur every spring or if you need frequent eye drops.
It is also important to go for a check-up if eye pain, loss of vision, intense sensitivity to light, abundant discharge, marked foreign body sensation, involvement of only one eye or if you wear contact lenses.
These signs may indicate that it is not just an eye allergy and that there is another problem that requires specific diagnosis and treatment.
Ocular allergy in Fuengirola: personalised assessment in Clínica Oftalmológica Dr. Nebro
Ocular allergy is common, but should not be trivialised when symptoms are severe, persistent or recurrent. A proper diagnosis makes it possible to differentiate it from other eye diseases and to apply the safest treatment in each case.
At Clínica Oftalmológica Dr. Nebro, in Fuengirola, we study the patient's symptoms, explore the ocular surface and assess whether there is an allergy, dry eye, conjunctivitis, blepharitis or any other associated cause.
If you notice itchy eyes, tearing, redness or eye discomfort during the spring, you can request an ophthalmological assessment to receive a precise diagnosis and treatment adapted to your case.
You can make an appointment at our ophthalmology clinic in Fuengirola through the page of ophthalmologist appointment in Fuengirola.
Article prepared under the medical supervision of Dr. Salvador Nebro Cobos.
Specialist in Ophthalmology and Ocular Surgery.
Director of Clínica Oftalmológica Dr. Nebro, in Fuengirola.
Member number: 292905166