Allergies and conjunctivitis: recognising and managing eye symptoms

This is called allergic conjunctivitis. Pollen, dust mites, animal dander, or another trigger may set it off. Eye pain, altered vision, marked light sensitivity, or thick discharge does not fit a straightforward allergy pattern and needs clinical assessment.

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the thin membrane covering the white of the eye and the inner eyelids. Allergy is one cause; viruses, bacteria, irritants, and problems elsewhere in the eye can produce overlapping redness or discharge.

Prominent itching, watering, and symptoms in both eyes support an allergic pattern, especially when sneezing or nasal itching occurs too. Infection may begin in one eye and can produce a gritty feeling or sticky discharge, but symptoms alone do not always establish the cause.

Avoid rubbing, wash your hands before touching the eye area, and place a clean cool compress over closed eyelids. If a known trigger is present, reduce exposure and rinse the face and eyelids gently after being outdoors.

A pharmacist or clinician can advise whether lubricating drops or an allergy treatment suits you. Avoid sharing towels or eye products. Remove contact lenses when eyes are red or uncomfortable, and do not wear them again until symptoms have settled and a clinician has advised that it is safe if symptoms were significant.

Seek urgent eye assessment for reduced or distorted vision, moderate or severe eye pain, pronounced light sensitivity, an eye injury, chemical exposure, or the feeling that something is stuck in the eye. Contact-lens wearers with a painful red eye should remove the lenses and obtain prompt care.

Arrange a routine consultation when discharge is thick, symptoms keep returning, the eyelids become increasingly swollen, or self-care is not helping. Call emergency services if eye symptoms occur with breathing difficulty, tongue or throat swelling, faintness, or confusion.

Tell the clinician whether itching or pain is more prominent, which eye was affected first, what the discharge looks like, and whether vision or light tolerance changed. Ask whether the pattern is allergic, infectious, or due to another eye problem, and when contact lenses may be used again.