Eye Allergies Often Overlooked, Undertreated: Relief Available for Millions of Americans with Itchy, Gritty, Watery Eyes

Millions of Americans suffer unnecessarily with itchy, gritty, watery eyes. The underdiagnosis, undertreatment and self-treatment of eye allergies may seriously diminish quality of life, allergists say. “For every one eye allergy medicine prescribed, 40 people are treating themselves with over-the-counter eye medicine from their local pharmacy,” allergist Leonard Bielory, MD. “The over-the-counter product may relieve the symptoms for a short time, but long-term, these patients need to see an allergist who can develop a complete treatment plan to eliminate the disease.” Eye allergy symptoms are regularly reported as one of the top three allergy complaints, according to the Allergies in America Survey. Forty percent of adults in the United States experience eye allergies and more than 40 million bottles of eye allergy medicine are sold in the U.S. each year. . read more.