Spring & Pollen Means Itchy, Watery Eye Allergies

Spring is beautiful, except for pollen and itchy eyes! While many people enjoy the spring, millions of others experience discomfort when the trees, grass and weeds begin to pollinate. People who are sensitive to these allergens experience seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, the most common type of eye allergy. Allergic conjunctivitis - which causes red, itchy, watery eyes-results in the conjunctiva, (the clear membrane like skin that covers the eye), becoming inflamed when triggered by an allergen. It is estimated that in the United States, some 20 percent of the population suffers from eye allergies. Further, the incidence appears to be on the rise. Some researchers believe that our increasingly clean, modern society which no longer requires our bodies to fight off multiple childhood infections has caused our immune systems to shift from an infection-fighting stance to an allergic stance. When the body's immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to substances such as seasonal pollens and pet allergens, an allergic reaction can occur and cause allergic conjunctivitis.

If you or someone you know suffers when pollen season and spring arrives, resulting in red, itchy, watery eyes, please call us at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.