Q: What should I do if I have a red eye that is not getting better?
A: This should be checked immediately, as not all red eyes are caused by infections or allergies. Although rare, some red eyes may be due to an increase in eye pressure, which can lead to blindness. Others may be caused by internal eye inflammation which can lead to vision loss as well. We recommend that ALL red eyes be evaluated, since the exact cause needs to be professionally determined.
Q: How do allergies directly affect the eyes?
A: Chronic allergies may lead to permanent damage to the tissue of your eye and eyelids. If left untreated, it may even cause scarring of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the inner eyelid that extends to the whites of the eyes. Ocular allergies can make contact lens wear almost impossible and are among the many causes of contact lens drop-out. Most common allergy medications will tend to dry out the eyes, and relying on nasal sprays containing corticosteroids can increase the pressure inside your eyes, causing other complications such as glaucoma.