Dry Eyes and Allergies: How to Tell the Difference and Treat Both

Are your eyes itchy, red, watery, and driving you insane? The big question is—is it dry eye or allergies? Or, both?

Dry eye and allergies can look alike but need totally different treatments. If you’re constantly rubbing your eyes, let’s figure out what’s actually going on and how to fix it.

Dry Eyes vs. Allergies: Spot the Difference

Dry Eyes (aka: The Sahara Desert Situation)

☑️ Gritty, burning sensation (like sand in your eyes)
☑️ Worse after screen time or long hours indoors
☑️ Feels better with artificial tears
☑️ Tends to happen year-round
☑️ Morning or evening symptoms

Eye Allergies (aka: The Pollen Strikes Back)

☑️ Itchy, watery eyes (like you just watched a sad movie)
☑️ Worse after going outside or being around allergens (pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, etc.)
☑️ Puffy or swollen eyelids
☑️ Usually seasonal but can happen year-round
☑️ Comes with other allergy symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, congestion, etc.)

The Fun Part: You Can Have Both!

Yep, some lucky people get dry eyes AND allergies, making their eyes a complete disaster. If that’s you, don’t panic—there are solutions.

How to Treat Dry Eyes vs. Allergies

If It’s Dry Eye…

👁 Use preservative-free artificial tears
🌬 Avoid fans and air vents blasting air at your face
😴 Use a warm compress before bed 
💧 Hydrate! 
💊 Consider Omega-3 supplements

If It’s Allergies…

🌿 Limit exposure to allergens (keep windows closed during allergy season, wash your hands after petting animals, don’t sleep on a pillow covered in pollen).
💊 Use an antihistamine eye drop (like Pataday or Zaditor—available over the counter).
🧼 Rinse your eyes with saline or artificial tears after being outside.
🚫 DO NOT rub your eyes! It makes allergies worse and can damage your cornea.

What If You Have Both?

🥇 Combination therapy is key. You’ll need to treat both conditions separately to get real relief. If over-the-counter treatments aren’t cutting it, we have prescription options that can help.

Final Thoughts: Stop Suffering!

Whether it’s dry eye, allergies, or the double whammy of both, there’s help. If you’re tired of itchy, burning, irritated eyes, schedule an appointment, and let’s figure out a game plan.
 

Call (859) 787-0936 or visit our office, 2020 Eyemax, in Lexington, Kentucky to book an appointment today.