Gardens are dangerous places pt II

The gardening season has now started and so has the hay fever season. I have already seen several patients complaining of itchy red eyes. So far all these patients have been regular attenders with their symptoms reoccurring at the same time every year. They suffer from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis due to a sensitivity to pollen. Typically these episodes can last for several weeks to a few months over the spring and summer. Treatment usually consists of eyedrops to reduce the swelling and the itchiness. To be most effective these eyedrops need to start about two weeks before the normal time of any annual flare up. They are very effective and are available on prescription from your optometrist, or your GP or pharmacist.

The other type of allergic conjunctivitis I often see at this time of year is when someone touches their eyes after touching a plant or other garden object. They inadvertently transfer the antigen onto the surface of the eye and start an inflammatory response. Typically, the eyes swells up and can become red and watery. The best treatment is flushing the eye with eye wash using an eye bath. This remove the irritant and soothes the eye. You can also use cold compresses e.g. frozen peas wrapped in a cloth, held against the swollen eye. The swelling should gradually reduce over a few hours. Avoid rubbing your eyes. It will only make things worse.

Occasionally a sudden onset hot and swollen eye can be something more serious. If the swelling lasts for more than a few hours then it needs to be urgently checked by your optometrist or GP. If you are unsure as to what is happening it is better to seek urgent advice. After all you only have two eye and they cannot be replaced.