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Suffering From Seasonal Allergies. Eye Gets Red And Itchy. Should I Consult Eye Specialist?

Posted on Fri, 26 Oct 2012

Question: I suffer from seasonal allergies and my eyes tend to get red and itchy at times. I have been using vasoconstictor eye drops on and off for about 10 years and now and noticing that my eyes are red if I don't use the drops. I wake up everyday with red eyes so I use some Naphcon and I am good for a couple of hours then the redness comes back worse.

My eyes also burn at times and can get dry. I am going to the eye doctor in 2 days so I am really hoping that my eyes do not have any permanent damage. I have noticed visible blood vessels in my eyes that look really red and then other times look pink-- my eyes NEVER look white. :( I am very upset by this-- if I stop the drops, will my eyes go back to normal?

Should I ask my eye doctor for a steroid drop to help with the withdrawal from the Naphcon?

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query.
This is always a problem after using vasoconstrictor eye drops for so long but still it is quite manageable.
It takes some time for the eyes to adjust.
You may require some prescription eye drop like some mild steroid eye drops and prescription anti allergy medicine.
Once these are used for some time,your eyes get adjusted and allergy gradually wanes.
Your eyes are normal and there is no danger for it to get damaged by the drops you have used.

I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (9 hours later)

Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you for your fast reply! What steroid drop is commonly used to treat this? I uploaded a picture of my eye--although it's hard to see the veins in the picture. Are the prominent veins from the vasoconstrictor drops and will they get better in time? This isn't permanent, is it?

Thanks again, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Hello XXXXXXX
As I explained above,there is no danger of any short term or long term damage to your eyes because of this allergy in eyes or by the use of vasoconstrictor eye drops.
The steroid drops used are DEXAMETHASONE or PREDNISOLONE or HYDROCORTISONE.
Since these are prescription eye drops,you have to consult your doctor for the prescription.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar