Soon allergy season will start. How can you differentiate
between an eye allergy and an infection?
Here is a list of symptoms and what they could mean:
Red Eye
A red eye is a very unspecific symptom; it could be an allergy
but also an infection. If the redness is extreme, only surrounding the cornea
or in a particular section of your eye it could be something more serious.
Itchy Eye
Allergies cause itchy eyes, normally affecting both. The itchiness is extreme,
and the patient always mentions: “it is impossible to stop!”. A viral infection
can start with slight itchiness, but it usually starts in one eye and later
affects the other.
Burning Eye
Allergies and infections can cause a burning sensation.
Watery Discharge
Allergies and viral conjunctivitis can cause excessive tearing. Usually, the
watery discharge in allergies comes in thrusts and in infections it is
constant.
Swelling of
Conjunctiva
When allergies a severe they can cause water retention
inside the conjunctiva. The patient notices a “transparent bubble” especially
in the inner or outer angle of the eye. Infections do not cause this swelling.
Gritty and Foreign
Body Feeling
The sensation of having “something” inside the eye can be
caused by allergies and infections.
Pain
Allergies do not cause pain, infections can.
Light Sensitivity
Allergies do not cause light sensitivity, infections can.
Thick Yellow Discharge
Allergies do not cause thick yellow discharge, infections can.
The therapy for allergies and infections varies
dramatically. In case of allergy, the patient needs antihistamine eye drops or
tablets, whereas in case of a bacterial infection antibiotics are needed. If
the infection is viral, a combination of different medications can help.
For more information or to make an appointment, please
contact us at 400.819.6622.
Article contributed by Dr. Andrea Sonntag-Vega,
Ophthalmologist at ParkwayHealth.
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