A physician will conduct a physical examination and compile a patient’s medical history and list of symptoms. An exam will include a vision check. Also, a physician will check eye motion and examine the eyelids and the reaction of the pupils to light. The physician is also likely to ask several questions, such as:

• When did symptoms begin?
  
  
• What symptoms are present? These might include:
  
• • Eye discharge, burning, itching or light sensitivity
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
    
    
• Has vision been affected?
  
  
• Are both eyes affected, or just one? If just one, which one?
  
  
• Is the white of the eye affected, or another part?
  
  
• Did redness come on suddenly, and is there a prior history of redness?
  
  
• Is eye pain present? If so, does it get worse with eye movement?
  
  
• Does it feel like something is in the eye?
  
  
• Do symptoms become worse at certain times or in certain situations?
  
  
• Does nasal congestion or runny nose accompany eye-related symptoms?

If an allergy or allergic conjunctivitis is suspected, testing will sometimes take place to identify the specific allergen triggering symptoms.

Other eye-related tests or examinations may take place to determine if symptoms are related to a non-allergic cause, such as an infection or systemic disease.

There are many prescription and over-the-counter medications that can help soothe eye-related symptoms. Symptoms related to allergies can best be addressed by treatments that prevent or soothe allergic reactions. Patients should not take any medications without first consulting a physician. Overuse of some drugs can cause a rebound effect, which eventually makes symptoms worse instead of better.

Though some allergy medications are taken orally, others come in eye drops and can be directly applied to the eyes.  It is important to ensure that eye drop medication not only reaches the eye, but that it is fully absorbed so that the eye receives the maximum benefit of the drug.

Specific eye drop medications used to ward off allergy symptoms include:

• Antihistamines. Block the work of histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions.
  
  
• Mast cell stabilizers. Stabilize mast cells and keep them from bursting and releasing histamine and other chemicals.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Relieve inflammation that sometimes accompanies allergies.
  
  
• Corticosteroids. Reduce inflammation. However, they are not commonly prescribed because they can also make certain infections worse (e.g., herpes). They may also trigger side effects such as secondary infections, glaucoma and cataracts. If they are prescribed, they should only be used for a short time and under strict supervision of a physician.
  
  
• Artificial tears. These can be used to wash allergens from the eyes, and to keep dry eyes moist.
  
  
• Decongestants. These drugs reduce redness by constricting the red blood vessels in the eye. They are available alone or in combination with antihistamines.

Non-allergic eye-related conditions often require treatments different from those related to allergies. These may include:

• Viral conjunctivitis. This condition usually resolves by itself after about 10 days. Patients should wash their hands often and avoid touching the affected eye or the eyes of others. Occasionally, the cornea (clear portion in front of the eyeball) will become inflamed. This may require steroid or antiviral treatment.
  
  
• Bacterial conjunctivitis. Antibiotic eye drops and/or ointment may be prescribed.
  
  
• Dry eye. Artificial tears are the most common treatment. Punctal occlusion surgery may be used, in which a plug is placed in one of two ducts between the eye and the nose to keep tears from flowing into the nose.
  
  
• Irritation. Thorough eye washing is necessary when symptoms are triggered by eye contact with household cleaners, sprays, smoke, smog and other pollutants. 

Patients can also take other steps to relieve both allergic and non-allergic symptoms, including:

• Avoiding exposure to allergens. Patients are urged to take steps to limit their exposure to allergens. Examples may include remaining indoors when pollen counts are high, keeping the home clean to reduce the levels of various allergens and irritants and washing hands immediately after petting animals.
  
  
• Applying cold compresses to their eyes to relieve symptoms. Cold acts as a mast cell stabilizer and vasoconstrictor. Rubbing or scratching the eyes will only make symptoms worse.
  
  
• Using artificial tears to remove mucus or wash irritants from the eye. Refrigerating artificial tears makes them more soothing when used. Patients usually are urged to avoid other types of over-the-counter eyedrops, as they may make symptoms worse over time.
  
  
• Removing eyelid crusts by softening them with warm compresses and using baby shampoo to wash them away. 
  
  
• Not wearing eye makeup until symptoms subside. If an infection was present, eye makeup should be thrown away and replaced.
  
  
• Not wearing contact lenses while symptoms are present. If an infection was present, old lenses should be thrown away and replaced.
  
  
• Resting the eyes and avoiding bright lights.

If medications and avoidance fail to relieve eye-related symptoms, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be considered. Allergy shots are a form of allergy and asthma treatment in which low doses of an allergen are injected into a patient over a period of time. The goal is to increase the patient’s tolerance to the allergen while reducing symptoms brought on by an allergic reaction.