Blog Hero

Allergies (Red, Itchy, Burning Eyes?)

Request Appointment

Approximately 1 in 6 Canadians suffer from eye allergies, with the major cause being seasonal allergens. There are 3 separate groups of causes for eye allergies, though the majority of Canadians have seasonal allergies.
Eye allergies are not the same as pink eye/red eye (Conjunctivitis), though they may display similar symptoms.
When allergens come in contact with your body, they attach themselves to your antibodies. Your immune system identifies them as dangerous invaders and a response is set in place. The mast cells in your eyes, loaded with histamine, begin to release their contents in an attempt to ‘fight’ these invaders.
Essentially, this is a huge overreaction of the immune system to typically harmless allergens.

Common Eye Allergy Triggers

  • Outdoor Allergens – Pollen, grass, trees, or weeds
  • Indoor Allergens – Feathers in bedding, pet dander, dust mites or mold
  • Irritants – Cigarette smoke, perfume, eye makeup, or vehicle exhaust

Symptoms of Eye Allergies

The following symptoms may be experienced in any combination:

  • Burning sensation
  • Increased light sensitivity
  • Excessive tearing (runny eyes)
  • Whites of the eyes are red, eyelids may be too
  • Itchy eyes

These symptoms may also be accompanied by a stuffy nose and sneezing.

Managing and Treating Eye Allergies

The cause of your eye allergies will dictate how we approach treatment and management of your symptoms.

The best course of action is typically not feasible, requiring the eradication of the allergen causing your reaction. This can be exceptionally difficult for seasonal allergy sufferers, as you can’t stay cooped up in your house for several months- it just isn’t realistic.

Managing Eye Allergies

We have put together a list of options to help you manage your allergy symptoms, depending on your lifestyle and the cause of your eye allergies.

    • Reduce Exposure to Allergens
      • Reduce dust in your home
      • Invest in high quality air filters for your furnace and air conditioner
      • Wash your bedding often
      • Stay indoors during peak allergy season (when possible)
    • Resist Rubbing Your Eyes! – We know this is a tough one, but rubbing your eyes will only aggravate and possibly worsen your symptoms.
    • Antihistamines – Antihistamines work to prevent your immune system’s reaction of releasing histamine from your eyes mast cells. They can be purchased over the counter and come in the form of oral medication, prescription eye drops, and patches.
    • Prescription Medication – If traditional allergy medications do not alleviate your allergies, our Optometrist may prescribe a more aggressive form of allergy medication.

 

  • Protect Your Eyes – To reduce pollen and other environmental allergens from getting into your eyes, we recommend wearing eyeglasses and sunglasses.  

 
 

Written by
Lakeland Family Eyecare

More Articles By
Lakeland Family Eyecare

Find Us In Bonnyville & St. Paul

Bonnyville

Find us on the corner of Main & 52nd Street, across from Westline Autowash.

As you may already be aware, Alberta Health Services has recently cut back coverage on optometry services. These changes were unexpected. We are extremely disappointed with their decision and how they handled bringing about this change.

To maintain the high quality of care that you have come to expect at our clinic, there will now be a fee for most eyecare services that were previously fully covered by AHS. If you would like to know how this affects you, please call our clinic at 587-840-7133 and one of our team members would be happy to assist you. You are also welcome to contact your local MLA to voice any concerns you may have with these changes in coverage. 

Thank you for your understanding and your continued support.

  • 5201 50 Avenue
  • Bonnyville, AB T9N 2G6

St. Paul

You can find us on 51st Avenue, next to the Fire Hall.

As you may already be aware, Alberta Health Services has recently cut back coverage on optometry services. These changes were unexpected. We are extremely disappointed with their decision and how they handled bringing about this change.

To maintain the high quality of care that you have come to expect at our clinic, there will now be a fee for most eyecare services that were previously fully covered by AHS. If you would like to know how this affects you, please call our clinic at 587-840-7133 and one of our team members would be happy to assist you. You are also welcome to contact your local MLA to voice any concerns you may have with these changes in coverage. 

Thank you for your understanding and your continued support.

  • 4916 51 Avenue
  • St. Paul, AB T0A 3A0

Our Blog

How Much Does LASIK Eye Surgery Cost in Canada?

Laser Eye Surgery

Imagine waking up and seeing clearly—no more fumbling for glasses or reaching for contact lens solution. That can be a reality with LASIK, a popular laser vision correction procedure that has helped millions of people around the world reduce or even eliminate their dependence on glasses and contacts.  In Canada, LASIK typically costs between $2,000 […]

Read More… from How Much Does LASIK Eye Surgery Cost in Canada?

June 10, 2025
Lakeland Family Eyecare

What Is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye?

Eye Care, Eye Conditions

Red or pink eyes can feel uncomfortable, itchy, and look alarming—but they aren’t always caused by pink eye. In fact, eye issues like eye allergies, blepharitis, dry eyes, subconjunctival haemorrhage, styes, and uveitis can all be commonly misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis. While their symptoms may overlap, each condition requires a different approach to treatment. Knowing the […]

Read More… from What Is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye?

June 10, 2025
Lakeland Family Eyecare

Best Contacts for Dry Eyes

Contact Lenses, Dry Eye

Dry eyes can make wearing contact lenses a frustrating experience. The scratchiness, redness, and discomfort might even have you considering giving up contacts altogether. Luckily, with the right lenses, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision while prioritizing your eye health. Some of the best contacts for dry eyes include: What Are Dry Eyes? Dry eye […]

Read More… from Best Contacts for Dry Eyes

April 29, 2025
Lakeland Family Eyecare
Close-up of a person's eyes with an illustration of where a laser would target the cornea during laser eye surgery procedure.

Imagine waking up and seeing clearly—no more fumbling for glasses or reaching for contact lens solution. That can be a reality with LASIK, a popular laser vision correction procedure that has helped millions of people around the world reduce or even eliminate their dependence on glasses and contacts.  In Canada, LASIK typically costs between $2,000 […]

Read More… from How Much Does LASIK Eye Surgery Cost in Canada?

Close-up of an eye showing symptoms of conjunctivitis (pink eye) with redness and irritation in one eye.

Red or pink eyes can feel uncomfortable, itchy, and look alarming—but they aren’t always caused by pink eye. In fact, eye issues like eye allergies, blepharitis, dry eyes, subconjunctival haemorrhage, styes, and uveitis can all be commonly misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis. While their symptoms may overlap, each condition requires a different approach to treatment. Knowing the […]

Read More… from What Is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye?

A pair of contacts creates a splash of water as they are dropped into water to represent dry eye relief.

Dry eyes can make wearing contact lenses a frustrating experience. The scratchiness, redness, and discomfort might even have you considering giving up contacts altogether. Luckily, with the right lenses, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision while prioritizing your eye health. Some of the best contacts for dry eyes include: What Are Dry Eyes? Dry eye […]

Read More… from Best Contacts for Dry Eyes

instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax