Eye Allergies and LASIK: What Patients Should Know

A woman with eye allergies

Here at the Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey, we always strive to provide patients with the finest results possible. The people of West Orange can trust us to achieve great results, always focusing on total wellness as well as improved vision quality.

Many patients come to us looking for answers to questions about LASIK surgery. A number of questions about eye allergies and LASIK have come up, so we’d like to go over some of the basics right now.

What Are Eye Allergies?

Eye allergies simply refer to the itchiness and watering of the eyes associated with a reaction to airborne allergens. Eye allergies typically accompany sneezing and runny nose, the common responses to allergens.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Eye Allergies?

The most common issues that people face when they experience eye allergies are as follows:

• Watery eyes
• Red eye
• Itchy or irritated eyes
• Brief dry eye attacks

The discomfort from eye allergies is usually temporary unless someone is exposed to many allergens in a given environment all at once (e.g., on a hike with lots of pollen in the air).

Are Eye Allergies Common?

Yes, very common. Millions of Americans suffer from eye allergies, which means they are an extremely common issue and nothing out of the ordinary.

Do Contact Lenses Make Eye Allergies Worse?

Yes. People who wear contact lenses may experience worse eye allergies than people who don’t wear contacts.

When wearing contacts, pollen and other particulate matter may become attached to the contact lens, or perhaps get lodged under it. This means that more tears have to be produced in order to dislodge the source of your allergy attack.

Can People with Eye Allergies Undergo LASIK?

Yes.

Eye allergies will not prevent a person from undergoing LASIK as long as he or she is a good candidate for the procedure otherwise.

How Does LASIK Improve Eye Allergy Symptoms?

Since a person no longer has to wear contact lenses to see clearly, the pollen and other allergens will not get attached to a contact and lead to more severe eye allergy attacks. This is one of the many benefits of undergoing LASIK surgery.

Can I Preventi Eye Allergies While Recovering from LASIK?

The best way to prevent eye allergy attacks whether you’ve undergone LASIK or not is to be aware of your environment and what allergens may be present. By avoiding potentially problematic situations, you can avoid issues with eye allergies altogether.

It’s not a bad idea to carry liquid tears with you if you are prone to eye allergies. LASIK patients often carry liquid tears with them following surgery in order to address issues with dry eye. The liquid tears can help flush allergens from the eye and provide relief from itchiness, redness, and discomfort when an eye allergy attacks occurs.

Is LASIK Right for Me?

The best way to find out if LASIK is the right situation for you and your needs is to visit the practice for a consultation. We will assess your situation and help determine if LASIK or another laser eye surgery procedure of some kind is the right option for you and your needs.

Contact Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey

For more information about LASIK, eye allergies, and many other issues related to the quality and health of your vision, be sure to contact our advanced laser eye surgery center today. The team at Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey will help you have the best eyesight possible.