When the weather warms up, everything feels easier — until your eyes start to itch. Many of our patients at Regional Eyecare Associates look forward to longer days and outdoor events, only to find themselves blinking through stinging eyes and nonstop irritation. While these symptoms may seem like a minor inconvenience, they’re often signs of eye allergies — a condition that becomes especially common in the summer months.
We offer comprehensive eye exams and allergy relief support from multiple offices throughout Missouri. If you’re struggling to get through the season without rubbing your eyes raw, we can help.
What Causes Eye Allergies in the Summer?
Eye allergies, also called allergic conjunctivitis, happen when your body reacts to an allergen as if it’s a threat. Your immune system releases histamines, which cause the blood vessels in your eyes to swell and leak, leading to classic symptoms like itching, tearing, and redness.
Common summer allergens include:
- Pollen from grass and weeds: exceptionally high in early to mid-summer
- Mold spores: thrive in warm, damp environments like gardens or basements
- Pet dander: more time outside means more exposure to animals
- Airborne pollutants: such as smoke, dust, or car exhaust
- Chlorine from pools: can dry out and irritate already-sensitive eyes
These allergens are difficult to avoid entirely, but making minor adjustments to your daily routine can make a significant difference.
5 Tips to Prevent Summer Eye Allergies
Eye allergies may be common, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Taking a few simple precautions each day can help protect your eyes from pollen, pet dander, and other common triggers, without having to give up the activities you love. These tips can help adults and children stay comfortable throughout the summer.
1. Protect Your Eyes with Sunglasses
Wear sunglasses to help block pollen and dust from entering your eyes while you’re outdoors. This physical barrier reduces direct exposure and helps keep irritants away from your eyelashes and eyelids — two areas where allergens tend to accumulate.
2. Keep Your Hands Away from Your Face
Touching or rubbing your eyes introduces allergens and bacteria, which can aggravate symptoms or lead to infection. If your eyes are itching, rinse them with cool water or preservative-free artificial tears instead of rubbing.
3. Wash Up After Outdoor Exposure
When you come inside, take a shower and change clothes right away. Allergens cling to skin, clothing, and hair, so removing them quickly helps limit continued exposure. Don’t forget to wash your hands before touching your eyes, contacts, or face.
4. Use Artificial Tears During High-Pollen Count Days
Artificial tears don’t just soothe — they flush allergens from the surface of your eyes. These over-the-counter drops are safe to use multiple times a day and can reduce irritation caused by wind, pollen, and dust. If you wear contact lenses, be sure to choose a drop that’s approved for your lens type.
For best results, use them before you head outside, and again after spending time in open-air spaces like parks or backyards. Keeping a bottle of artificial tears or eye drops in your bag or car can be a game-changer during peak allergy season.
5. Keep Your Indoor Air Clean
Your home should be a safe haven from allergens, but only if you take a few precautions. Use an air conditioner instead of opening windows, and make sure filters are replaced or cleaned on a regular schedule. Washing bedding in hot water once a week can also help reduce pollen, pet dander, and other irritants that accumulate in the fabric.
Get Relief That Lasts in Missouri
If you’re tired of dealing with red, watery eyes every summer, it’s time to make a plan that works. At Regional Eyecare Associates, our eye doctors understand how allergic reactions affect your daily life, and we’re here to provide genuine, personalized care that addresses your symptoms.
We offer exams for both adults and children and can help you find effective relief so you can get back to enjoying the season. Book your eye care appointment at one of our Missouri locations — and take the first step toward a more comfortable summer.