Does Spring season bring you itchy, red, eyes along with its beautiful landscape? Most likely you may be experiencing eye allergies.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, each year more than 50 million people have experienced various types of allergy.

What’s an Allergy?

An allergy is your body’s response to a foreign substance -- an allergen -- something that does not commonly  affect other people. You may also experience sneezing and running nose concurrent with an eye allergy.  Eye allergy can be caused by pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold and even cosmetics.

Types of Allergies

Seasonal Allergies  - also known as hay fever. Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen released during season of the year. Depending on where you live, your allergies could start in the late Winter to Fall. Tree pollen usually trigger allergies in the late winter and spring and ragweed triggers allergy symptoms in the Fall.

Year-Round Allergies - Year round allergies are usually caused by pet danders and dust mit

Symptoms of Eye Allergy may include:

• Itchy eye

• Clear, watery eye

• Red Eye

• Burning

• Light sensitivity

9 Ways to Relieve Allergy Symptoms

Behavioral changes you can make to minimize symptoms include the following:

• Stay indoors during high pollen count days. You can track the pollen count for your area by visiting www.pollen.com and put in your zip code or watch your local weather channel for an update of pollen count for your area.

• Have all windows closed and use air conditioning to prevent allergens from  entering your home

• Remember to change your HVAC filter to prevent allergens from recirculating in your home

• Use artificial tears to rinse out allergens from your eyes to minimize your symptoms

• If you’re a contact lens wearer, switch to a daily disposable contact lens or wear your eyeglasses

• Wear wrapped around sunglasses to prevent allergens from entering your eyes and reduce discomfort from the sunlight

• Take a shower at night to remove any allergens from your body and eyes

• Take an over the counter allergy eye drop to help with relief

If any of the above does not provide you with relief, you may need to visit your eye doctor and get a prescription for an allergy eye drop.