Allergic Conjunctivitis; What You Need to Know
August 27, 2025
If your eyes are red, itchy, or watery, especially during the warmer months, your allergies could be at play. Allergic conjunctivitis is a common eye condition where your eyes react to things like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. It's often more pronounced in spring, but it can happen at any time of the year depending on your triggers.
What causes it?
Allergic conjunctivitis happens when your body’s immune system overreacts to harmless particles (called allergens). This triggers the release of histamine, which causes:
- Itchy, red, watery eyes
- Puffy eyelids
- Stringy or watery discharge
- Often, both eyes are affected at once
Some people also experience other allergic conditions like hay fever, asthma, or eczema alongside eye allergies. If this sounds familiar, it’s likely that allergic conjunctivitis could be the culprit. According to recent studies, allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most common causes of red and irritated eyes, affecting millions of people globally .
What can help?
At VISION Michael Hare Optometrists, we’ll carefully assess your eyes to ensure it’s allergic conjunctivitis, and not something more serious like an infection or dry eye. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, we may recommend:
- Lubricating eye drops to help wash away allergens
- Antihistamine or mast cell stabiliser drops to control inflammation and symptoms
- Cool compresses to provide soothing relief
- Avoiding known triggers where possible to reduce future flare-ups
If over-the-counter treatments aren’t enough, we can discuss prescription options. Evidence shows that prescription antihistamine eye drops and mast cell stabilisers are highly effective at reducing symptoms in patients with moderate to severe allergic conjunctivitis .
Let’s keep allergy eyes under control!
You don’t have to put up with itchy, watery eyes. Book a visit with us at VISION Michael Hare Optometrists, and our team will assess your symptoms and help you get back to feeling comfortable.
Related articles:
- Dry Eye Disease: What Is It?
- Red Eyes: What Causes Them?
- Watery Eyes: Causes and Treatment
References:
- Bielory L. Ocular allergy overview. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2008.
- Optometry Australia. Ocular Allergy Management Guide. 2023.
- Leonardi A. Management of allergic eye disease. Ophthalmology. 2012.
- Mansour, A. K., & Sklar, J. (2016). Effectiveness of mast cell stabilizers in allergic conjunctivitis. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 57(8), 3990-3998.
- Asher, M. I., & Keil, S. P. (2013). Allergic conjunctivitis: management strategies. Clinical & Experimental Optometry, 96(3), 258-267.
You’ve probably heard that blue light from screens can damage your eyes, but is that actually true? Here’s what research shows: blue light from screens does not damage your eyes the way UV light does. However, spending hours on screens can still lead to digital eye strain, and evening screen time may interfere with your natural sleep-wake cycle.  Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain: - Tired, sore or gritty eyes - Blurred vision after screen time - Headaches or difficulty focusing - Dry eyes from reduced blinking - Trouble sleeping after late-night device use
Blurry vision can happen all of a sudden or develop gradually over time. Understanding when it starts can help us figure out what’s going on. Sudden blurry vision may signal something more urgent, such as: Retinal detachment or tear Acute glaucoma attack Vascular events (like a blockage in eye blood vessels) Gradual blurry vision is often caused by: Refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) Cataract development Dry eye disease Macular changes (like age-related macular degeneration)
If you’re applying for or renewing your aviation medical, you may need to complete a CASA eye exam with an optometrist. At VISION Michael Hare Optometrists, we regularly perform these assessments and know exactly what CASA requires. What is the CASA eye exam? This occupational assessment ensures your vision meets the safety standards for aviation. It covers a wide range of visual functions, not just how well you can read an eye chart.
Noticing your vision getting cloudy or dimmer, especially when driving at night or dealing with glare? You might be developing cataracts, a condition where the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy over time. Cataracts usually develop gradually as part of the ageing process. Other factors that can increase your risk include long-term UV exposure, smoking, diabetes, and certain medications. What Are the Symptoms? Cloudy, fuzzy, or film-like vision Increased sensitivity to bright light or glare Difficulty with night driving Colours looking faded or yellowed
Colour vision is how your eyes tell the difference between colours. Most people can see colour normally, but about 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women are born with a colour vision deficiency, commonly known as colour blindness. What Is Colour Blindness? Colour blindness is usually inherited. It happens when the colour-sensing cells in your eyes (cones) don’t respond properly to red, green, or blue light. The most common type is red-green deficiency, which makes it harder to tell those colours apart. Less common types affect blue-yellow vision, and a very rare form impacts all colours. Signs of Colour Vision Deficiency People with colour vision issues may: - Struggle to tell red from green - Have trouble reading colour-coded maps, charts or wiring diagrams - Find colour-based tasks challenging at school
A routine eye test is about more than just reading letters on a chart. At VISION Michael Hare Optometrists , we offer comprehensive eye health assessments that check the full health of your eyes—inside and out. Many serious eye conditions can develop without symptoms. A proper exam lets us catch issues early, even before they affect your vision. What’s Included in a Comprehensive Eye Exam? External and internal slit lamp examination ; Checking the front and back of your eye Scans of the macula, optic nerve, and peripheral retina ; OCT when indicated and ultra-wide field retinal scans for thorough care Intraocular pressure testing ; Important for detecting glaucoma Visual field testing (automated perimetry, where indicated) Discussion of lifestyle, medications, and risk factors
Contact lenses offer crisp vision and freedom from glasses—but with so many options available, how do you know what’s right for you? At VISION Michael Hare Optometrists, we help you navigate your choices to find lenses that suit your eyes, lifestyle, and vision needs. Soft Lenses Soft lenses are the most commonly prescribed and come in several options: Daily disposables: The most comfortable and hygienic option. Perfect for sensitive eyes, allergy sufferers, or anyone looking for low maintenance. Backed by research as the safest type of contact lens wear. Fortnightly/monthly lenses: More affordable for regular wearers but require more care. These lenses are safe and effective when used correctly but may carry slightly more risk of dryness or infection. Toric lenses: Designed to correct astigmatism. Multifocal lenses: Provide clear vision at all distances, ideal for those needing both near and distance focus.
If you have diabetes, type 1 or type 2, it’s important to keep an eye on your eyes. High blood sugar can damage the delicate blood vessels at the back of the eye, leading to diabetic retinopathy, macular swelling, or even permanent vision loss. The tricky part? It often starts with no symptoms at all. Why Regular Diabetic Eye Checks Matter: Diabetic eye disease can be silent at first. Early detection gives the best chance to protect your vision. Medicare covers diabetic eye exams for eligible patients. We coordinate with your GP or specialist for complete care. Even if your blood sugars are well managed, regular eye exams are essential.
Dry eye can be more than just annoying, it can make reading, working, or even enjoying the outdoors uncomfortable. At VISION Michael Hare Optometrists , we offer a full suite of treatment options tailored to your needs. What Causes Dry Eye? Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. It can result from age, medications, hormonal changes, screen use, or certain health conditions.
Got something in your eye or suffered a bump to the face? Eye injuries can range from minor irritations to emergencies. Minor Injuries (like a small foreign object or minor scratch): Gently rinse your eye with clean water or saline. Avoid rubbing your eye as this can make things worse. If irritation persists, book an eye exam with VISION Michael Hare Optometrists.
