From the Guidelines
The most effective treatment for itchy eyes is a dual-action agent, such as ketotifen (Alaway, Zaditor) or olopatadine (Pataday, Patanol), which combines antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer activities, providing quick relief within 30 minutes and suitable for both acute and longer-term treatment of allergic conjunctivitis symptoms. When considering treatment options, it's essential to weigh the benefits and risks of each medication. According to the study 1, dual-action agents have been shown to be more effective in preventing or treating ocular itching than other ocular agents. Some key points to consider when treating itchy eyes include:
- Vasoconstrictors, such as naphazoline (AK-Con, Albalon) or tetrahydrozoline (Visine), can provide temporary relief of ocular redness but may lead to rebound hyperemia or conjunctivitis medicamentosa with prolonged use 1.
- Antihistamines, such as emedastine (Emadine) or levocabastine (Livostin), can provide relief of ocular allergy symptoms but may not be as effective as dual-action agents 1.
- Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (Opticrom) or lodoxamide (Alomide), have a slow onset of action and are more suitable for prophylactic or longer-term treatment of chronic ocular allergies 1.
- Topical NSAIDs, such as ketorolac (Acular), can reduce prostaglandin production involved in mediating ocular allergy but may not be as effective as dual-action agents 1.
- Ocular corticosteroids, such as loteprednol etabonate (Alrex), should be reserved for more severe symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis due to the risk of vision-threatening side effects 1. It's crucial to consult an eye care professional if symptoms persist beyond a week, are accompanied by pain, vision changes, or discharge, as these could indicate a more serious condition requiring specific treatment.
From the FDA Drug Label
Use Temporarily relieves itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander. Directions Adults and children 3 years of age and older: Put 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, every 8-12 hours, no more than twice per day. The best treatment for itchy eyes is ketotifen (OPHTH) eye drops, which can provide up to 12 hours of eye itch relief 2 2.
- Dosage: Put 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, every 8-12 hours, no more than twice per day for adults and children 3 years of age and older 2.
- Age restriction: Children under 3 years of age should consult a doctor 2.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Itchy Eyes
- Ketotifen fumarate eye drops have been shown to be effective in treating itchy eyes caused by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- The onset of action for ketotifen fumarate eye drops is rapid, with some studies showing a median time to onset of action of 15 minutes 6
- Ketotifen fumarate eye drops have been compared to other treatments, such as olopatadine HCl and emedastine difumarate, and have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of itchy eyes 4, 6
- The duration of action for ketotifen fumarate eye drops is also long-lasting, with some studies showing efficacy up to 8 hours after dosing 6, 7
Efficacy of Ketotifen Fumarate Eye Drops
- Studies have shown that ketotifen fumarate eye drops are effective in reducing symptoms of itchy eyes, including ocular itching, vascular injection, chemosis, tearing, and lid swelling 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Ketotifen fumarate eye drops have been found to be safe and well-tolerated, with few adverse events reported 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- The efficacy of ketotifen fumarate eye drops has been demonstrated in various studies, including those using the Vienna Challenge Chamber model and the conjunctival antigen challenge model 6, 7
Comparison to Other Treatments
- Ketotifen fumarate eye drops have been compared to other treatments, such as olopatadine HCl and emedastine difumarate, and have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of itchy eyes 4, 6
- Ketotifen fumarate eye drops have been found to have a faster onset of action and longer duration of action compared to some other treatments 6
- The efficacy of ketotifen fumarate eye drops has been demonstrated in various studies, including those using different models of ocular allergic conjunctivitis 3, 4, 5, 6, 7