As a busy mom, you have a lot on your plate, managing your household, work, kids, marriage, and friendships. Dealing with dry eyes may seem like a small issue, but it can make the simple daily tasks in your life that much harder.
While I am not an eye care professional, I know that a first step in improving your quality of life is to take care of your eye health. I have had more instances of eye allergies and dry eyes than I can count.
But there is a big difference between a clinical condition of dry eye and allergies. This post will take you through the differences.
1. What Causes Dry Eyes or Allergy Symptoms?
Seasonal allergies can cause a variety of eye allergy symptoms, including itchy, red, and irritated eyes.
Some of the symptoms of dry eyes that may mimic allergies are a stinging, burning, or scratching sensation in your eyes, redness, or the sensation of having something in your eyes.
Allergies are actually a response of your immune system for many people that occurs during allergy season, although some people, like me, can be affected by allergies all year round.
Generally speaking, allergies are accompanied by other symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or other sinus or eye symptoms.
Common allergens like pet dander, dust mites, cleaning products, or other medical conditions may cause symptoms.
If you have been suffering from allergies for a long time, it may be beneficial to do an allergy test. Once you know what you are allergic to, you can make the necessary adjustments in your life.
2. How to Tell the Difference: Dry Eyes vs Allergy Eyes
The real difference between Dry Eye Disease, everyday dry eyes, or allergy symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, “dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes.“
Dry eye disease needs to be formally diagnosed by an eye doctor. However, allergies or certain lifestyle habits can cause your symptoms to mimic dry eye disease and affect your eyes unknowingly.
Difference in eye symptoms:
- Dry Eyes: burning, gritty, blurry vision, light sensitivity.
- Allergy Eyes: itchy, watery, red, swollen.
There are overlaps in symptoms, such as red, irritated eyes or difficulty wearing contact lenses.
With dry eyes from allergies, you may have those symptoms only at certain times of year or around certain animals or spaces.
You may get relief from taking allergy medication or reducing screen time.
3. When to Get Help: Mom Warning Signs to Watch
Some of these symptoms probably aren’t new to you, but what I can almost guarantee as a fellow mom is that you may have been ignoring them. We are so busy as moms that we often forget to take care of our health needs, so we can show up as our best for the ones we take care of.
If you have dry eye disease, you will need a proper diagnosis by an eye doctor through a comprehensive eye exam with a treatment plan, and if you have severe symptoms, you may need to schedule an appointment today.
Signs you may need to see an eye doctor:
- Ongoing discomfort
- Blurry vision
- No relief from eye drops or allergy medication
- No relief from lifestyle adjustments
I know it’s hard to do, and it’s something I’m working on myself, but you’ve got to take better care of yourself.
4. Simple Fixes That Actually Work
There are a few simple fixes that you can try if you don’t have dry eye disease, and the symptoms are caused by lifestyle, seasonal, or year-round allergies.
- Mom-tested, effective solutions:
- Preservative-free artificial tears
- Cool compresses on your eyes
- Allergy medication
- Lifestyle changes
- Using a humidifier to combat dry air in your home
- Reducing screen time or using blue light glasses
- Hydrating properly throughout the day (your eyes need water, too!)
If you discover that it is dry eye disease, follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment options, along with lifestyle changes to mitigate any environmental factors.
Give Your Eyes (and Yourself) the Care They Deserve
You don’t have to continuously suffer from dry eyes.
Whether it’s a trip to the eye doctor or a trip down the eye aisle at Target, your symptoms are real, and there is something that you can do about it.
Start with the at-home tips first to see what might work for you.
But if they don’t help, don’t hesitate to see a professional about it so that you can go through your day with a little bit more comfort.
You deserve to see clearly, feel better, and move about your day with ease.
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