12th November 2003
I've had eye allergy problems for 20+ years.
I've had appointments with optomitrists, and eye care physicians over the years. No luck. They all acted like they had never even heard of eye allergies - and that it was my imagination!
The OTC "allergy" eye drops only helped once in a while. Artificial tears are a joke.
Most all OTC allergy meds (1st generation) just make me sleepy - and no relief from allergies.
I finally got tired of the itching/burning/stringy mucus, and went to an allergist about a year ago. I tested "moderately allergic to everything", and started with allergy shots and varoius 2nd generation antihistamines.
Almost a year later now, I continue to have eye allergy problems, but they are less often and less severe. Patanol, Acular, and Vasocidin eye drops help get me through the bad days.
I've even purchased a microscope, pollen/mold sampler, pollen/mold identificatin guides ... and have still yet to exactly figure out what triggers eye reactions. (BTW, most all pollen and mold forcasts are not even close). I think I'm getting a little closer to figuring some of it out, but there is still something that I'm missing. (Somehow I think the weather is a factor - but I've yet to find a good explination beyond transport of pollen/mold).
One thing I do know: The medical "establishment" is in it only for the money, not the science.
Unfortunately, that does not help us allergy sufferers much.
I've had appointments with optomitrists, and eye care physicians over the years. No luck. They all acted like they had never even heard of eye allergies - and that it was my imagination!
The OTC "allergy" eye drops only helped once in a while. Artificial tears are a joke.
Most all OTC allergy meds (1st generation) just make me sleepy - and no relief from allergies.
I finally got tired of the itching/burning/stringy mucus, and went to an allergist about a year ago. I tested "moderately allergic to everything", and started with allergy shots and varoius 2nd generation antihistamines.
Almost a year later now, I continue to have eye allergy problems, but they are less often and less severe. Patanol, Acular, and Vasocidin eye drops help get me through the bad days.
I've even purchased a microscope, pollen/mold sampler, pollen/mold identificatin guides ... and have still yet to exactly figure out what triggers eye reactions. (BTW, most all pollen and mold forcasts are not even close). I think I'm getting a little closer to figuring some of it out, but there is still something that I'm missing. (Somehow I think the weather is a factor - but I've yet to find a good explination beyond transport of pollen/mold).
One thing I do know: The medical "establishment" is in it only for the money, not the science.
Unfortunately, that does not help us allergy sufferers much.