What should you know about seasonal allergic conjunctivitis treatment?

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is an immune response on the eye surface after exposure to airborne allergens such as pollen. It commonly causes intense itching, redness, watering, burning and puffy eyelids. Both eyes are often affected, and symptoms may occur alongside allergic rhinitis, with sneezing or a blocked, runny nose. Thick discharge, marked pain, light sensitivity or vision change is less typical and may point to another eye problem.

Treatment aims to reduce exposure and calm the allergic response. The right option depends on your age, contact lens use, other medicines and whether symptoms are occasional or persistent.

Keep windows closed when outdoor pollen is high, wear glasses outdoors, wash your face and hair after time outside, and avoid rubbing your eyes. A cool clean compress can reduce itching and swelling. Preservative-free lubricating drops may rinse away irritants. A pharmacist or clinician may recommend antihistamine or mast-cell stabilising eye drops, or an oral allergy medicine when nose symptoms are also present. Remove contact lenses while eyes are irritated and follow the product instructions.

Seek urgent eye care for severe pain, vision loss or change, strong light sensitivity, an injury, or swelling that affects vision. Arrange a review for one-sided symptoms, significant eye discharge, symptoms that do not improve, or repeated episodes despite treatment. Do not use someone else’s eye drops.

Ask whether your symptoms fit allergic conjunctivitis, which drops are suitable with contact lenses, and how long to use them. Discuss allergy testing if the trigger is unclear or symptoms keep returning.