CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives September 2009
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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Summer’s End Is Nothing To Sneeze At
By Stephen Cohen, O.D.

Although the reputation of Arizona as a “Mecca” for allergy and asthma sufferers is long gone, we do get a minimal reprieve during summer, when it is too hot for many allergens to flourish. With the promise of cooler days ahead (we hope), we will see an increase in allergy symptoms. For many, thoughts of the beautiful Arizona fall weather are hampered by anticipation of sneezing, stuffy noses and itchy eyes. It is estimated that up to 30 percent of Americans have some form of allergy, and itchy, watery eyes ranks number one as the most annoying allergy symptom (ahead of runny nose, sneezing and scratchy throat). Although about 10 percent of all doctor visits (not just to allergists and eye doctors) involve allergies, most people are left to feel that they “just have to learn to live with it.” Fortunately, that is not the case.
An eye allergy is an abnormal reaction to ordinarily harmless substances (allergens), and can be divided into two groups: seasonal (pollen from trees, grass or plants), and perennial (year-round from dust, molds, mites, pet dander and other environmental factors). Most people affected by allergies will self-medicate with OTC products. However, OTC medications are often far less effective than prescription formulations. It has also been found that chronic use of some of these OTC products (such as vasoconstrictors, with or without antihistamines) can be toxic to the eyes, causing reactions that may take weeks to resolve once the product is stopped. Remarkably, about a third of people aren’t even aware that there are prescription eye drops available to specifically treat eye allergies.
The hallmark ocular allergy symptom is itchiness. During a proper medical history, this symptom will help to distinguish allergies from other eye problems (e.g., bacterial conjunctivitis, a.k.a. pink eye). Other ocular symptoms can include redness, tearing, increased mucous production, foreign body sensation, grittiness and scratchiness. During the height of allergy symptoms, people may also complain about blurry vision, and many contact lens wearers cannot tolerate having their lenses in their eyes.
Unlike pink eye, an antibiotic is ineffective in treating allergies. There is, however, an emerging group of topical (eye drop) medications that approach allergies from two levels: one, antihistaminic relief of symptoms; and, two, control of the underlying physiological reaction that leads to allergy symptoms. Many of these prescription medications begin to provide relief within even one or two doses. For severe symptoms, a steroid drop may be added for short term use. Cool compresses and certain artificial tear and lubricating drops can also provide some relief of symptoms. Lastly, there are oral non-sedating prescription antihistamines which have been effective in decreasing ocular allergy symptoms along with the typical nose, sinus and throat symptoms.
If you are an allergy sufferer, you know how debilitating it can be. Allergies cannot be cured, but they can be controlled. Proper diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan by your eye doctor can provide the greatest relief. What do you have to lose, except your itchy, watery, mucousy, blurry, scratchy, gritty eye symptoms? And that’s nothing to sneeze at.

HEALTH & WELLNESS Web Exclusive | CITYSunTimes September 2009