If you’re one of the many Kentuckians suffering from seasonal allergies, you’re likely familiar with the common symptoms: itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose. Most people assume that a visit to the allergist is the best solution, but did you know that an optometrist could be your best first step? Understanding how allergies affect your eyes can help you seek the right treatment and find quicker relief.
How Allergies Impact Your Eyes
Your eyes produce two different kinds of tears—basal and reflex tears. Basal tears keep your eyes lubricated every time you blink, while reflex tears respond to irritants and are what you produce when you cry.
When allergies flare up, your body produces excess reflex tears, which wash away the basal tears that normally keep your eyes moist. This leaves your eyes feeling dry and raw, even though they appear watery. If you’ve experienced these symptoms, you’re probably familiar with the discomfort they bring.
While allergists can prescribe antihistamines to treat general allergy symptoms, these medications often have side effects like dry mouth or drowsiness and don’t specifically address your eye irritation.
Why You Should Consider an Optometrist for Allergy Relief
Dr. Rick Graebe, an experienced optometrist at Family Eye Care Associates in Versailles, Kentucky, has treated many allergy sufferers through his specialized Allergy Clinic. With a range of customized treatments designed specifically for the eyes, Dr. Graebe can help alleviate your symptoms in a way that traditional allergy treatments can’t.
“We have five or six different options to treat a patient’s symptoms, so we can customize allergy treatments based on their specific needs,” says Dr. Graebe.
One of the key tools Dr. Graebe uses is a powerful microscope that magnifies the eye up to 50 times. This allows him to check whether the basal tear gland is clogged and if it is, he can prescribe a gentle eyelash shampoo to cleanse the lashes of allergens and clear the tear ducts.
Targeted Allergy Treatment for Your Eyes
In addition to the basal tear gland, Dr. Graebe also uses his microscope to examine the clear layer over the white part of the eye for signs of allergic conjunctivitis. This condition can cause the tissue to swell up to 10 times its normal thickness, leading to significant discomfort with each blink.
Instead of prescribing a general antihistamine, which treats multiple symptoms at once, Dr. Graebe often recommends an eye-specific antihistamine in the form of eye drops. These drops directly target the eye’s allergic response, providing quicker relief with fewer side effects. Dr. Graebe uses these same drops himself and reports that he rarely needs over-the-counter allergy medications.
By focusing on the eyes, these specialized treatments are more effective at treating the root of the problem—allowing you to enjoy Kentucky’s beautiful landscape without the misery of allergy symptoms.
Take Control of Your Eye Allergies
Living in a state like Kentucky, where allergens such as pollen are prevalent, can make allergy season tough. But there’s no need to suffer through it without the proper care. Dr. Graebe and his team at Family Eye Care Associates are ready to help you find lasting relief.
With offices conveniently located in Versailles, serving the greater Lexington area, and in Somerset, the clinic is one of the few practices in Central and Southern Kentucky offering specialized eye care for allergy sufferers. Don’t let allergies keep you from enjoying the natural beauty of Kentucky—take action today and get the relief your eyes deserve.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rick Graebe at our Versailles or Somerset locations, call us today at 859-879-0089.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.