ABCs of over-the-counter allergy medications – Part 3

The next topic will be treatment for allergy eyes.  Unfortunately, allergy eye symptoms are among the most difficult to treat.  If you are a contact lens wearer, it is even worse because pollen just sticks to those lenses like glue.  There are two basic types of medications used in allergy eye drops.  One is a vasoconstricting drug which makes the blood vessels smaller.  This is how it “gets the red out.”  Unfortunately, people usually develop tolerance to this type of medication, meaning “you get used to it,” and it has a weaker and weaker effect the more you use it.  This type of medication is not healthy for the eye with daily use.  The other type of medication is an antihistamine in solution.  So, it works just like oral antihistamines work – they block histamine, the major substance involved in allergic symptoms.  Antihistamine eye drops are the preferred treatment for allergy eyes.  I usually recommend ketotifen.  This medication is available by a variety of different brands including Zaditor and Alaway.  I have also seen Meijer and Walgreens versions of ketotifen eye drops.  Other helpful tips for allergy eyes include NOT wearing contact lenses, and using lubricating drops to gently flush the pollen out of the eyes.  It also helps to keep the bedroom windows closed, wash your hair before you go to bed, and change your pillow case often.