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BerryFarmsEyeCare

Dr. Jana Crim

(615) 905-8190

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  • What Are Eye Allergies? Symptoms and Treatments

What Are Eye Allergies? Symptoms and Treatments

  • Created in Newsletters
Woman with irritated eyes

Red, Itchy Eyes? You Might Have Eye Allergies

Sneezing, congestion, post-nasal drip, and hives aren't the only symptoms of allergies. Your allergies can also affect your eyes, causing a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

Eye Allergy Symptoms

Eye allergy symptoms can vary from person to person but often include:

  • A Change in Appearance. Have you noticed that your eyes are red and irritated or that your eyelids look a little puffy or swollen? Eye allergies often cause very noticeable symptoms and may even be responsible for the dark circles under your eyes. Commonly called "allergic shiners," the circles form when blood backs up in the small blood vessels under your eyes due to nasal congestion.
  • Sensitivity. Your eyes may become more sensitive to both sunlight and natural light if you have eye allergies. In fact, you may even be tempted to wear sunglasses indoors.
  • Discomfort. Burning, itching, pain, and tearing can be quite uncomfortable and make reading, driving or watching TV a little challenging.

The trouble starts when your immune system overreacts to the presence of allergens, harmless substances that your body mistakenly decides are dangerous to your health. Once an allergen enters your body, your immune system produces histamines, natural chemicals that help eliminate allergens. As the histamines flood your body, they trigger sneezing, tearing, and other symptoms to rid your body of the allergens.

Common Eye Allergy Triggers

The same allergens that cause nasal allergies can also cause eye allergies. Your symptoms may happen due to exposure to:

  • Pollen
  • Pet Dander
  • Mold
  • Dust
  • Perfume
  • Cosmetics
  • Smoke
  • Foods
  • Insect Bites or Stings

Eye allergies can occur in conjunction with nasal allergies or may happen without any nasal symptoms. You may also develop allergy symptoms if you become allergic to eye drops or other eye preparations, or your eyes become irritated by your contact lenses or deposits that form on the lenses. Wearing contact lenses can also worsen your allergy symptoms, as the lenses may trap allergens.

Ways to Reduce Eye Allergy Symptoms

Minimizing your exposure to allergens offers a simple way to decrease allergy symptoms, no matter what the cause. Check the local allergy forecast every day if you suffer from eye allergies. If you notice high levels of the allergens that trigger your symptoms, minimize the amount of time you spend outdoors. When you do venture outside, wear glasses rather than contact lenses. Glasses provide a barrier that helps prevent allergens from reaching your eyes.

Other ways to minimize exposure to allergens include:

  • Keeping the Windows Closed. Prevent airborne allergens from settling on to your furniture and floors by shutting the windows and using your air-conditioner instead.
  • More Frequent Cleaning. Vacuuming and mopping often reduce the number of allergens that enter your home on your clothing or your pet's fur. In addition to cleaning more often, encase your mattress and pillows in special protectors to reduce your exposure to dust mites and wash your bedding often.
  • Replacing Carpeting. Vacuuming will help reduce allergens but it won't remove them entirely. If you suffer from severe allergies, you may want to consider removing rugs and carpeting and replacing it with hardwood or tile floors instead.
  • Limiting Nighttime Visits from Pets. There's nothing cozier than snuggling up to your cat or dog at night - until you begin to experience eye allergies. Keeping your pet out of your bedroom may help ease your symptoms if you're allergic to pet dander.
  • Using Over-the-Counter Eye Drops or Artificial Tears. Eye drops and artificial tears offer short-term relief by washing away allergens from your eyes.
  • Visiting Your Eye Doctor. If making a few changes to your home and using eye drops don't improve your eye allergies, make an appointment with your eye doctor. Depending on the cause of your eye allergies, your doctor can recommend a variety of treatment options, including oral antihistamines or antihistamine drops, allergy shots, a change in the type of contact lenses you wear, or prescription eye drops to prevent the release of histamine or reduce redness, itching or swelling.

Relieve your eye allergy symptoms with a visit to the eye doctor. Contact us to schedule your appointment.

Sources:

American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Are Eye Allergies?, 9/10/19

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Eye Allergy

All About Vision: Eye Allergies: Get Relief from Itchy, Watery Eyes

  • Common Eye Conditions
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  • How the Eyes Work
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  • Vision Therapy Programs
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Office Hours

Monday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

1:00 pm-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

1:00 pm-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

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Your opinions matter

  • ""Who knew in this day and age that you could actually find a Doctor (the entire practice) that actually makes the patient their primary focus. After much frustration with my current provider I stumbled across Dr. Crim and boy did I get lucky. The staff's attention to detail, quality of service, and genuineness shines through. If you are looking for top notch care and great service look no further than Berry Farms EyeCare...trust me!!""
    Craig E.
  • ""Dr. Jana and staff are awesome! They make me feel at home each time I visit. They are an asset to Berry Farms and the surrounding area. We will use them as long as they'll let us!""
    Cody W.
  • ""Stop in and visit Dr. Jana Crim @ her brand new location if you are in the market for eyewear or contacts lenses! I just went there and I am very pleased with my new glasses. Great staff, selection and fast service! Go and 'see' for yourself.""
    David D.
  • ""My college senior walked on over to Dr. Jana during spring break and they fixed him all up with a new prescription and contacts! And Mikki was awesome helping get him in when he was home during break. I don't think he will ever go to the beach again for break when he can get his eyes examined at BF Eyecare instead!!""
    Matt B.
  • ""LOVED my experience here. Honestly, the best eye exam I've ever had. The staff was so kind, the exam was very thorough. Dr. Crim took her time with me and explained all kinds of things about my eye health that I hadn't heard before. I can't recommend Berry Farms EyeCare enough!
    The also give free infant eye exams (up to 1 year old)!""
    Hanna S.
  • ""I want to give a shout out to Berry Farms Eyecare if anybody is in need of a new eye doctor in the Franklin area they are amazing. We had to make an emergency trip there we called on the way there doctor was not in. They called her and she drove in just to see us and she took great care of us and they were all amazing. They have a beautiful office as well.""
    Stacy H.
  • ""Love! Love! Love! Dr. Jana and Mikki not only helped me but they did a fabulous job giving my 6 month old his first eye exam. I've been in glasses for over 20 years and this was the best experience with an eye doctor I've ever had! The office is beautiful and you can tell they really care about their patients!""
    Kayla C.
  • ""I absolutely love my new glasses! And am so happy to be able to walk to my neighborhood eye doctor. Dr. Jana and her team are fabulous and got me seeing clearly!""
    Deb M.
  • ""Love Berry Farms EyeCare!! Just Fabulous!!""
    Jennifer J.
  • ""Dr. Jana & her staff are courteous and very helpful. I had a terrific experience from start to finish; leaving with an order for 3 pairs of glasses as well. I was most impressed with what other had to say about their experience there and Dr. Jana's caring personality. The facility is beautiful inside as well. A+ across the board!""
    Stuart P.
  • ""Berry Farms EyeCare was absolutely wonderful! I was able to get in quickly. They were so friendly and helpful. I will definitely be a returning patient and will recommend them to others""
    Danielle S.
  • ""Great service, great selection, awesome staff, beautiful office space- what more can you ask for?!?!""
    Betsy T.
  • ""My family had a fantastic experience at Berry Farms eye care!! The office is gorgeous and the staff was wonderful!""
    April B.
  • ""This place is amazing! I had an eye issue this morning and Dr. Crim saw me before they even opened for the day. The medicine I needed for my eye was sold out at Publix and she took the time to call many pharmacies for me. Talk about customer service! The space is beautiful and staff is friendly. I'm so excited they have joined the berry farms community and excited to not have to battle the cool springs traffic.""
    Rachel L.
  • ""Dr Crim and her staff are fabulous! Very friendly, no wait time, I received a thorough exam, and my contacts were quickly delivered to my home. The new office is gorgeous and very welcoming. Highly recommend Berry Farms EyeCare.""
    Ashley F.
  • ""I'm a new patient at Dr. Crim's office and I have to say that this was the most pleasant appointment I've ever had. The practice was clean and well put together as well as the service. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Crim ( and staff ). Well done!""
    William F.
  • "Have been suffering from eye strain headaches. Just happened to read about Dr. Crim in an article. To say I am pleased I did is an understatement. From scheduling to the appt & f/up to get my glasses, everything especially the Dr was unbeatable. It's nice when you can tell someone cares & really wants to help. I am very pleased with my new glasses. If you haven't explored the businesses at Berry Farms, give this one a try. You won't regret it. (Review shortened due to space allotment)"
    Nicki R.
  • ""Had the most amazing experience yesterday! Took all 3 kids - in and out in less than an hour. Wonderful customer service! Would highly recommend!""
    J. Cleaver
  • ""Super personalable, they were able to work me to an appointment quick. Would totally recommend to anyone needing eyecare. They listened to me and they answered all my questions.""
    Olivia C.
  • ""Dr Crim took her time with my eye exam and explained everything she did. It was the best eye exam I had ! Dr. Crim staff was awesome too .""
    Pat M.

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