Are there any allergy eye drops?

From the Guidelines

Yes, there are several allergy eye drops available, including antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, and dual-action agents, such as ketotifen (Alaway, Zaditor) and olopatadine (Pataday, Patanol), which are effective in relieving ocular allergy symptoms. These medications work by blocking histamine receptors and preventing the release of inflammatory chemicals that cause itching, redness, and tearing 1.

Available Options

• Antihistamines: Emedastine (Emadine), Levocabastine (Livostin)
• Mast cell stabilizers: Cromolyn (Opticrom, Crolom), Lodoxamide (Alomide), Nedocromil (Alocril), Pemirolast (Alamast)
• Dual-action agents: Azelastine (Optivar), Epinastine (Elestat), Ketotifen (Alaway, Zaditor), Olopatadine (Pataday, Patanol)
• Corticosteroids: Loteprednol etabonate (Alrex) for short-term use in severe cases

Usage and Precautions

When using allergy eye drops, it is essential to follow the instructions carefully, typically 1-2 drops in each affected eye once or twice daily 1. Before using any eye drops, remove contact lenses if you wear them, wash your hands thoroughly, and avoid touching the tip of the bottle to prevent contamination. If over-the-counter options don't provide relief within a week, consult an eye care professional for stronger prescription options.

Important Considerations

It is crucial to note that prolonged use of ocular decongestants may lead to rebound hyperemia or conjunctivitis medicamentosa 1. Therefore, it is recommended to limit their use to 10 days or less. Additionally, oral antihistamines are generally less effective in relieving ocular allergy symptoms than topical ophthalmic agents and have slower onset of action 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Use Temporarily relieves itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander. ANTIHISTAMINE EYE DROPS UPTO 12 HOURS EYE ITCH RELIEF The answer is yes, there are allergy eye drops, such as ketotifen 2 and ketotifen 2, which can relieve itchy eyes due to allergens like pollen, ragweed, and animal hair.

• Key benefits: temporary relief of itchy eyes, up to 12 hours of relief
• Indications: itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair, and dander 2

From the Research

Allergie Eye Drops

• There are various types of eye drops available for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, including:
  • Topical antihistamines, which inhibit the action of histamine by blocking histamine H1 receptors 3
  • Mast cell stabilisers, which inhibit degranulation and consequently the release of histamine by interrupting the normal chain of intracellular signals 3
  • Dual-action agents, which combine the effects of antihistamines and mast cell stabilisers 4, 5
• These eye drops can provide relief from symptoms such as itching, redness, and tearing, and are often used as a first-line treatment for seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis 3, 4
• Some examples of topical antihistamines and mast cell stabilisers include:
  • Azelastine 3, 5
  • Olopatadine 3, 5
  • Ketotifen 3, 5
  • Levocabastine 3, 5
• Dual-action agents such as epinastine and alcaftadine have also been shown to be effective in treating allergic conjunctivitis 5
• It is essential to note that the quality of the studies and reporting can be variable, and the risk of bias may be present in some trials 3
• Additionally, the composition of eye drops and the presence of additives can affect the physiology of the allergic eye, and physicians should be aware of these factors when selecting a treatment 4