Allergic Conjunctivitis: Spring Symptoms & Relief

Written by Vasileios Skouteris MD, FEBO, Ophthalmic Surgeon

Page contents

Why does spring trigger eye allergies?
What are the symptoms?
Why shouldn’t you rub your eyes?
Prevention: what helps day to day
How is it diagnosed?
How is it treated?
When to see an ophthalmologist urgently
Frequently Asked Questions

Allergic conjunctivitis in spring is inflammation of the clear membrane that covers the white of the eye, caused mainly by pollen. It shows up as intense itching, redness and watering in both eyes. It can usually be controlled with simple measures and your ophthalmologist’s advice, but pain or blurred vision needs prompt examination.

Why does spring trigger eye allergies?

From late winter to early summer the air fills with pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. In Attica, cypress, olive, grasses and pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria) are among the most common culprits. When pollen comes into contact with the conjunctiva of a sensitive person, specialised immune cells (mast cells) release histamine and other substances. Within minutes the blood vessels dilate, the tissue swells and the itching begins.

Eye allergy often goes hand in hand with allergic rhinitis, meaning sneezing, a runny nose and a blocked nose, and it is more common in people with asthma or atopic dermatitis. It is not contagious: unlike infectious conjunctivitis, it does not pass from person to person.

What are the symptoms?

Itchy eyes: the most characteristic symptom. If there is no itching at all, allergy is a less likely cause.
Redness in both eyes, usually at the same time.
Plenty of clear, watery tears.
Swollen eyelids, especially in the morning.
Swelling of the conjunctiva (chemosis), which makes the white of the eye look “puffy” or jelly-like.
Burning, a gritty feeling and mild sensitivity to light.

Vision is generally not affected, apart from temporary blurring that clears when you blink.

Is pollen the only cause?

The seasonal form is linked to pollen, but there is also perennial allergic conjunctivitis, with symptoms all year round from house dust mites, pet hair or moulds. Many people have both, with a flare-up in spring on top of a mild background. Eye make-up, face creams, preservatives in eye drops or contact lens solutions can also cause an allergic reaction. If your symptoms do not follow the seasons, it is worth looking for another cause.

How is it different from other types of conjunctivitis?

A red eye does not always mean allergy. The table gives a general guide, but the diagnosis is made by examination with a slit lamp.

Feature	Allergic	Viral	Bacterial
Main symptom	Intense itching	Gritty feeling, burning	Eyelids stuck together in the morning
Discharge	Clear, watery	Watery	Thick, yellow or green
Eyes	Usually both together	Starts in one and spreads to the other	One or both
Contagious	No	Yes, very	Yes
Seasonality	Spring, early summer	All year round, often with a cold	All year round

You will find all the types and causes in detail on our page about conjunctivitis and its treatment. Also, chronic itching at the base of the lashes, with flakes and a red eyelid margin, may be due to blepharitis, which often coexists with allergy and needs different care.

Why shouldn’t you rub your eyes?

Rubbing brings relief for a few seconds, but it releases more histamine and the itching comes back stronger. In addition, vigorous, repeated rubbing over months or years puts mechanical stress on the cornea. In children and teenagers with allergies it has been linked with the onset or worsening of keratoconus, a condition in which the cornea thins and becomes cone-shaped. Finally, rubbing with hands that are not clean can carry germs and add an infection on top of the allergy.

Instead of rubbing, try a cold, clean compress over your closed eyelids for 5-10 minutes. Children need frequent reminders, as they rub their eyes without realising it.

Prevention: what helps day to day

Pollen cannot be avoided completely, but exposure can be reduced considerably:

Keep an eye on pollen forecasts and limit outdoor activities on high-pollen days, especially when it is windy.
Wear wraparound sunglasses when you go out, as they also act as a physical barrier.
Keep home and car windows closed at peak times. In the car, use air recirculation and keep the cabin filter in good condition.
Wash your face, hands and ideally your hair when you get home, and change your clothes.
Avoid drying laundry outside on high-pollen days.
Change pillowcases often during pollen season and shower before bed, so that pollen is not carried into bed.
If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses on bad days, because allergens stick to the lens surface.
Preservative-free artificial tears, kept in the fridge, rinse away pollen and soothe the eyes.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based on your history and a slit lamp examination. The ophthalmologist looks for the characteristic small papillae on the inner surface of the eyelids, checks the cornea with a special dye and rules out dry eye, blepharitis or infection, which can look similar. In persistent or unclear cases, skin prick tests with an allergist help to identify the specific allergen.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on severity and age. There are eye drops that stabilise mast cells and limit the release of histamine, often combined with an antihistamine action. They work best when started shortly before the pollen season and used consistently. In more severe cases your doctor may recommend steroid drops for a short period.

Steroid drops should not be used without ophthalmic supervision, as they can raise intraocular pressure or encourage cataract. “Red eye” drops that constrict the blood vessels quickly make the eye look white but do not treat the problem, and with frequent use they can cause rebound redness. When significant rhinitis is also present, working with an allergist helps with overall control.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis in children

A distinct, more persistent form occurs mainly in school-age boys in warm climates. It is characterised by very intense itching, a sticky, stringy discharge, sensitivity to light and large papillae under the upper eyelid. It can affect the cornea, so it needs monitoring by an ophthalmologist and not just anti-allergy drops.

When to see an ophthalmologist urgently

See an ophthalmologist without delay if you notice:

Pain in the eye, not just itching or discomfort.
Blurring that does not clear when you blink.
Marked sensitivity to light.
Symptoms in one eye only.
Thick, yellow or green discharge.
A red eye while wearing contact lenses. Take the lenses out straight away.
Symptoms that do not improve within a few days or come back every year more severely.

The examination checks the conjunctiva, the cornea and the inner surface of the eyelids, to rule out infection or corneal damage and to choose treatment that matches the severity.

If eye allergies trouble you every spring, book an appointment at our clinic in Neo Psychiko, Athens, for an examination and a personalised plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is allergic conjunctivitis contagious?

No. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by the body’s reaction to pollen or other allergens and cannot be passed on. A child with eye allergies can go to school as normal. If, however, there is thick discharge, the eyelids are stuck together or the symptoms started in one eye, it is most likely an infection and needs to be examined.

Do antihistamine tablets help with itchy eyes?

Oral antihistamines reduce allergy symptoms overall and often improve the eyes too. In some people, however, they dry out the surface of the eye, which can make burning worse. When the eyes are the main problem, eye drops act in a more targeted way. Decide on the right option together with your doctor.

Can I wear contact lenses if I have eye allergies?

In mild cases often yes, with care. Pollen sticks to the lens and prolongs the irritation, so glasses are a better choice on days with strong symptoms. Daily disposable lenses are usually better tolerated during allergy season. If your eye becomes red or painful while wearing lenses, take them out and get an examination.

I get the same symptoms every year. Can I prevent the flare-up?

To a large extent, yes. If your symptoms start at the same time each year, your ophthalmologist may suggest starting preventive treatment one to two weeks earlier. Combined with measures that reduce pollen exposure, the flare-up is usually milder and easier to control, with less need for stronger medicines.

Questions about your case?

Dr. Skouteris will examine you at his practice in Neo Psychiko and explain your options.

Call 210 677 0007 Book an appointment

About the author

Dr. Vasileios Skouteris, MD, FEBO

Ophthalmic surgeon trained at the John Radcliffe University Hospital in Oxford and Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO).

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Allergic Conjunctivitis in Spring: Symptoms, Prevention and When to Worry