What's the Difference Between Dry Eye and Allergies?

The eyes are among the body's most sensitive and vulnerable parts. They are predisposed to easy injury, infection, and other conditions. One of the most common conditions that affect most Americans is dry eye syndrome. It causes significant eye discomfort but without discharge. However, it is not the only condition with these symptoms. Eye allergies also have similar effects and symptoms. 

The conditions have specific treatment protocols that resolve the causes and the symptoms. However, differentiating between them can be quite challenging if you are unaware of the differences. To pick a better treatment, you must understand what is ailing you. 

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a ­common condition that affects the ability of the eye to lubricate itself. It usually occurs due to insufficient tears or an unstable tear film. These two situations can occur for various reasons like medication side effects or age. Usually, you have irritation and other similar symptoms. 

What Causes Dry Eye?

While dry eye can occur for several reasons, they all cause insufficient or unstable tears. The most common cause of dry eyes is age, which causes a reduction in the amount of tears your body produces. 

The second most common cause of dry eyes is meibomian gland dysfunction, which causes unstable tears. Another common cause is the side effects of decongestants or antihistamines, which usually cause insufficient tear production. 

Other factors that may cause dry eyes are environmental factors like high wind speeds, low humidity, or allergens in the air. Each of these usually affects the quality of the tear film mostly by increasing its speed of evaporation. 

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?

Here are the most common symptoms of dry eye:

• Redness in the eye

• Watery eyes

• Irritation

• Feeling of sand in the eye

• A burning sensation
   

What Are Eye Allergies?

Eye allergies are reactions of the eye to specific allergens that can lead to various symptoms. The eye allergy commonly associated with dry eye is seasonal. These can occur due to the eye reacting to a specific environmental allergen like pollen. Your body produces histamines that react with these allergens, causing the symptoms related to eye allergies. 

What Causes Eye Allergies?

Eye allergies can occur due to a variety of environmental elements and factors. The most common allergen mentioned above is pollen. Pollen and most allergens that lead to seasonal allergy symptoms often occur during spring. Eye allergies may also be caused by pet dander, smoke, dust mites, mold, fragrances, or perfumes. 

What Are the Symptoms of Eye Allergies?

Here are the common symptoms of seasonal eye allergies:

• Eye redness

• Irritation

• Burning sensation in your eyes

• Watery discharge

• Itching

Itchiness is the one symptom that sets allergies apart from dry eye. If you do not have itchiness and you have the other symptoms mentioned, it is more likely you are suffering from dry eye. The itchiness from eye allergies can become so severe that you may cause damage to your eye surface. If you keep rubbing your eyes, you can cause tears and abrasions on your eye surface. The rubbing also aggravates the redness, burning, and watery discharge.

For more on the difference between dry eye and allergies, call Coers Family Eyecare, PC, at (812) 408-8400 to reach our office in Columbus, Indiana.