Can Allergies Cause Eye Floaters
Allergies are very common, with approximately 1 in 5 Americans diagnosed with environmental allergies to pollen, dust mites, mould, animal dander, and other triggers. Allergies can present with various symptoms like hives, rashes, a runny nose, sneezing, fatigue, and itchy, watery eyes. Sometimes, it can be challenging to distinguish common allergy symptoms from other conditions that occur simultaneously, which may leave you unsure of the cause. For example, you might notice eye floaters during allergy season and wonder if your allergies are to blame or if something else is causing this issue. Continue reading to discover whether allergies can cause eye floaters. The article will also explain what eye floaters are and how to treat them.
What are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters are a usually harmless phenomenon and appear as small shapes in your field of vision, particularly when looking at bright, plain backgrounds. For example, this might be a clear sky or a white wall. As the name suggests, they seem to be floating in front of you when you move your eyes and usually drift slowly when your eyes are still. They can resemble one or a combination of the following:
Dots
Threads
Squiggly lines
Cobwebs
The cause of floaters in your eye can be found in the vitreous, a gel-like fluid in the center of the eye, which is responsible for maintaining the eye's shape and allowing light to pass through the retina.
They are caused by tiny clumps of collagen or cells inside the vitreous, which cast shadows on the retina and then manifest as floaters in your field of vision. Floaters become more common as you age since the vitreous shrinks and pulls away from the retina. Sometimes they are also related to eye injury and natural changes in the vitreous.
Can Allergies Cause Eye Floaters?
Allergies can significantly affect your eyes, but they aren’t a common cause of eye floaters, as they typically occur on the outer surface of the eye rather than in the vitreous, where floaters originate. Common eye allergy symptoms include redness, itching, and tearing, and are also often referred to as allergic conjunctivitis. However, especially if you suffer from severe or long-lasting allergies, you may be more likely to rub your eyes frequently, which can cause irritation, pressure, and even inflammation. This may make already existing floaters more visible.
How to Treat Eye Floaters
Luckily, eye floaters rarely require treatment, especially if they are mild. You tend to notice them less over time as your brain adapts. Here are some helpful tips to stay less distracted by floaters while supporting your overall eye health:
Avoid eye rubbing and irritation
Drink enough fluids
Maintain a good sleep schedule
Wear sunglasses to reduce glare in bright light
Another, more invasive option includes laser therapy, in which an optometrist uses a laser to break up large collagen clumps in the vitreous that cause floaters. However, this option isn’t always available or effective. In severe cases, doctors may discuss a surgery called vitrectomy with patients, which can be risky. This procedure removes the vitreous gel from the eyes and replaces it with a clear fluid.
Always consult your doctor if you notice newly appeared or rapidly increasing floaters in your vision, as eye floaters can sometimes indicate other eye conditions. If this occurs, the underlying condition will be treated first, which will remove or improve eye floaters as a symptom. Notify your healthcare provider immediately if you experience a rapid increase in floaters, paired with flashes of light or vision loss, which can be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment, a medical emergency.
