Several environmental factors can cause our eyes to become watery, itchy, and red. Though many believe their eye allergies are caused by pollen, there can be many other causes for the allergies to occur. The eye doctors at Avery Eye Clinic understand our patients in The Woodlands, Conroe, and Huntsville, TX, may be suffering from eye allergies caused by many sources. An optometrist will perform eye allergy testing to best determine the cause of the allergies. Read on to learn more about eye allergy testing
What are eye allergies?
Eye allergies are often the result of exposure to indoor and outdoor allergens that get into the eyes. Examples of eye allergies include mold, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. These allergies are not contagious and cannot spread to another person.
How do allergies affect the eyes?
Allergies affect the eyes in many ways, causing various symptoms based on the person and what is causing the allergies. Common symptoms of eye allergies may include redness, itchiness, burning, watery eyes, swollen eyelids, blurred vision, and a feeling of dirt in the eyes. Some people also experience a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and a sinus headache from eye allergies.
What is eye allergy testing?
The optometrist may conduct several tests, including looking at the swollen blood vessels on the eye's surface with a microscope. Additionally, the eye doctor may scrape the conjunctiva (inner lining of the eyelid) to test whether there are any white blood cells. Once the type of white blood cells is identified, it can help the optometrist diagnose the cause of eye allergies.
Eye allergy testing is available in The Woodlands, Conroe, and Huntsville, TX, through our optometrist. Call to speak to your eye doctor's office and inquire about if they offer eye allergy testing. If your optometrist does not provide testing, call Avery Eye Clinic to schedule and learn more about eye allergy testing.
Schedule an Eye Allergy Test with Our Optometrist Today
If you are demonstrating the typical symptoms associated with eye allergies and at-home or over-the-counter treatments are not working, it is time to schedule an appointment with your optometrist. The eye doctors at Avery Eye Clinic help patients daily find relief for their eye allergies by conducting tests and coming to a proper diagnosis. Call our office today to schedule an appointment. We treat patients in The Woodlands, Conroe, and Huntsville, TX.