Can Allergies Cause Blurry Vision?

Allergy is a common disease in people due to seasonal changes or a local allergen. These allergies make people sneeze, sniffle and scratch their throats, few realize they could also blur their vision. But how exactly do allergies cause blurry vision? Dr. Joy Lam who practices as an optometrist in Palo Alto, CA explains that eye allergy reactions bring about swelling, dryness and multiple symptoms which degrade your visual perception. This blog provides essential information about eye allergy symptoms and appropriate treatment steps during active symptoms. 

How Allergies Affect Vision and Eye Health?

Allergens can trigger various symptoms related to the eyes.

When allergens contact the sensitive tissues of your eyes, the following symptoms occur:

• Redness, watery, or itchy eyes
• Eyes swelling
• Sensitivity to light
• Burning feeling

At times, this may cause blurry vision, which can be annoying as well as concerning.

Allergies and Blurry Vision

Here’s how allergies Cause Blurry vision:

1. Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is when the conjunctiva of your eyes becomes inflamed due to an allergy, causing blur vision and discomfort with grittiness in the eyes.

2. Excessive Tear Production and Presence of Mucus

When your eyes meet the allergens, they may be producing more tears so that the eyes can flush away the irritant. Though tear production helps your eyes, extra tears blur your eyesight. Additional mucus produced due to the reaction of the eyes by the allergen can also reduce your eyesight.

3. Dry Eye Syndrome

Though watery eyes are a common symptom for allergies, they can also lead to dry eye symptoms. Allergens might create inflamed conditions that will interfere with your natural eye lubrication, hence leaving you with dry and irritated eyes that may cause blurry vision.

4. Swelling of the Eyelid

Allergies result in inflammation that subsequently leads to swelling around eyes and eyelids that puts some pressure against the eyes so that your field of vision blurs. This can creates further discomfort requiring attention from an optometrist.

When to See an Optometrist?

If the cause is allergies and your vision is becoming blurry, you should seek an eye doctor in Palo Alto. Symptoms may be relieved through over-the-counter antihistamines or even eye drops but, if not, professional care may be a necessity.

The following are conditions to visit an optometrist:

– Blurry vision that does not get any better with home care

– Recurring eye pain or aching

 – Sudden or severe changes in your vision

 – Repeated allergic eye irritation

A practicing eye doctor in Palo Alto may utilize several treatments that can control the symptoms and foster good eye health.

What an Optometrist in Palo Alto Can Do to Help

Dr. Joy Lam, an experienced optometrist in Palo Alto will diagnose your condition and present a treatment that addresses your personal requirements. This may include some of the following:

• Allergy drops to help treat allergies and decrease swelling
• Oral antihistamines for treating systemic allergic reactions
• Artificial tears for comfort, relieving dryness and irritation
• Allergy testing referral to aid in the determination of allergens.

Your allergies will be eased while engaging the services of a trusted, respected, and professional optometrist in Palo Alto.  This will help you avoid complications in the future about your eyes.

How to Control Allergy-Related Eye Symptoms?

While you cannot control your exposure, these tips will help to limit your symptoms: 

• Rest indoors while the high pollen exists
• Use air purifiers with HEPA air filters in the living room
• Hand and face washing with soap after being outside
• Ventilation of window while allergy exists
• Use hypo-allergenic products around the eyes and creams on the skin

While allergies may cause your vision to be blurry, it is fundamental to understand the basic relationship to help prevent the disease from attacking you. If this blur caused by allergies is happening or if other symptoms appear, you should certainly consult with an eye doctor in Palo Alto. Our team at Refine Optometry is dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care in Palo Alto, CA, where you will learn how to effectively care for allergies and achieve great vision.

Find out why you have blurred vision with Refine Optometry. Make your appointment today with expert Palo Alto optometrists so that you can receive individualizer care and solutions customized just for you.