Eyedrops: One way to relieve allergy symptoms

Some of the medications used to treat respiratory allergy symptoms include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eyedrops. This article focuses on eyedrops.

If your allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, eyedrops containing antihistamines, decongestants or both may offer relief. These eyedrops are available over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription.

Olopatadine (Patanol), which acts as an antihistamine, is an example of one type of prescription eyedrop.

Allergy Relief

Some of the medications used to treat respiratory allergy symptoms include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eyedrops. What do medications do? Allegra D Allegra Claritin-D Flonase Nasacort Nasacort AQ Nasonex Patanol Zyrtec

If you have predictable seasonal eye allergies, you may be able to prevent some of the usual eye discomfort by using olopatadine a week or two before your eye allergies typically begin, then continuing to use them throughout the season. Other antihistamine eyedrops include levocabastine (Livostin), emedastine (Emadine) and azelastine (Optivar). Side effects may include headache or burning or dry eyes.

Other prescription eyedrops that work to inhibit certain immune cells (mast cells) from releasing histamine include pemirolast (Alamast), cromolyn (Crolom, Opticrom, others) and ketotifin (Zaditor). Ketorolac (Acular) is another prescription eyedrop that works primarily as an anti-inflammatory medication. Side effects can include eye irritation, such as burning or stinging.

Specially formulated OTC eyedrops - such as Naphcon-A, Opcon-A, Visine-A and others - combine an antihistamine with a decongestant to help reduce eye itchiness and redness. Don't use these products if you have high blood pressure, heart disease or certain types of glaucoma, as they may aggravate these conditions.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medications.