Cedar Season Is on the Way -- Prepare Now!

Fall in Texas is a welcome sight, right down to the constant updates from weather forecasters on the location and progress of the season's first cold front. However, late fall holds an unwelcome event: the beginning of cedar season. This nasty allergen is one of the worst in Texas and can cause allergies that last for a few months, from December to around March. Among the symptoms can be itchy and watery eyes, meaning that, if you're allergic to cedar, you could develop eye allergies. Eye Site in Katy & Houston is ready to help you deal with the devilish pollen.

What are Eye Allergies?

For most people, an allergy to pollen would result in a runny or stuffy (or both) nose and possibly a scratchy throat. If the allergic reaction involves your eyes, you could end up with scratchy, dry, itchy, or watery eyes, or any combination of those symptoms. The symptoms are uncomfortable and can affect your vision, which is not good if you have to drive.

What Treatments Are Available?

Treatments for eye allergies have two different aspects. One is treatment based on the type of allergen, and the other is based on alleviating symptoms.

It is possible to get allergy shots for cedar. That's something that you'll need to see an allergist for, but if you start early enough, you may be able to see improvement in how your body handles cedar pollen when the next season starts.

If you opt not to get shots and start suffering from the symptoms, then it's time for eye drops, antihistamines, decongestants, and a visit to your optometrist. The optometrist will look at how the cedar is affecting your eyes. You may need prescription-strength eye drops, or you may need more systemic medicine such as corticosteroids. Your optometrist will try to find the best and least intense regimen for you so that you experience relief without having to take too much medicine.

You may also have to undergo a vision exam if it's been a while since your eyes were last checked. This helps the optometrist determine how much of your vision trouble is due to the allergy and how much is due to your actual visual acuity.

Get Optometry Help for Eye Allergies

While you'll still want to see an allergist for most of the treatments, an optometrist at Eye Site in Katy & Houston can help you deal with eye allergies. Cedar is not fun, and you'll want all the help you can get. Call us at (281) 644-2010 (Katy) or (713) 984-9144 (Memorial).