Dry eye syndrome and seasonal allergies have similar symptoms. This fact makes it hard to distinguish between the two. However, they have different underlying causes. Knowing the underlying cause will help you deal with it effectively.

 

If you are experiencing eye discomfort, note the symptoms, when, and where it affects you the most. It will help the doctor diagnose your condition and administer the proper treatment. Here are some points to help you differentiate between dry eye syndrome and seasonal allergies.

 

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

It is a condition that causes extreme eye discomfort. It results from dryness due to low quality or low quantity of tears. Low-quality tears lack oils that help lubricate the eyes. The oils also keep the water part of tears from evaporating too quickly. Low-quantity tears result from the tears draining too fast or low production of tears.

 

Symptoms of Dry Eye

The dryness causes your eyes to become red, watery, and sensitive to light. They may bring a burning or stinging sensation. They may also feel like sand or something stuck in your eyes. Dry eye syndrome makes it hard to wear your contact lenses. It also causes periods of blurry vision.

 

Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye is a result of the low quantity or quality of tears. The low amount may be due to a dysfunction in the lacrimal glands. These glands continually release fluid or tears to cleanse, lubricate, and protect the eye. If there is a dysfunction, it causes a low quantity of tears.

 

On the other hand, meibomian gland dysfunction causes the low quality of tears. These glands produce the oil part of tears. The oil part is responsible for eye lubrication and preventing fast evaporation of tears.

 

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

It is an eye discomfort that happens during different seasons of the year. It is a result of allergens in the environment. The most common allergens are pollen from wind-pollinated plants. Unlike bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, seasonal allergies or allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.

 

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

The symptoms are itching, sneezing, and coughing. It also causes watery discharge, burning sensation, and puffiness of the eyes. If your eyes are not itchy, you may not have seasonal allergies.

 

Causes of Seasonal Allergies

The underlying cause of seasonal allergies is allergens in the environment. These allergens cause your immune system to overreact by releasing histamines. The histamines try to remove the allergens from your body by causing you to itch, sneeze, tear up, or cough. The reaction may be so severe it may cause your eyes to turn red, become puffy, and burn.

 

Treatment

In the case of dry eye syndrome, the doctor will deal with the cause of the low quality or quantity of tears—the meibomian or lacrimal glands. If there is any other cause, they will deal with that too.

 

For seasonal allergies, the best treatment is to deal with the allergen. Prevent allergies by not exposing yourself to substances that can cause them.


 

For more on dry eye or seasonal allergies, visit Clarity Vision at our office in Clayton, North Carolina. You can call (919) 550-4801 today to schedule an appointment.