Dry Eye + Allergies Combo: Why One May Be Worsening the Other

If you’ve noticed that your dry eye symptoms flare up right when allergy season hits, you’re not imagining things. Allergies and dry eye are closely connected — and when one worsens, the other often follows. At Eye Roc Eyewear, we help patients in St. Louis find lasting relief by treating both conditions at the source.

How Screen Use, Allergies, and Dry Eye Are Connected

Modern life makes managing eye comfort more challenging than ever. Between screen use and seasonal allergens, your eyes are up against multiple irritants at once:

• Screen time reduces blinking. When you’re on a computer or phone, you blink 30–50% less. This prevents the tear film from spreading evenly and leads to faster evaporation.
• Allergies inflame the ocular surface. Pollen, dust, and other allergens trigger histamine release, causing itching, watering, and swelling that destabilize the tear film.
  
• A cycle of irritation. Allergies make eyes inflamed and watery, while reduced blinking prevents recovery. Rubbing the eyes only worsens the irritation — and can even damage the cornea.

This combination explains why so many patients experience worsening symptoms during allergy season, especially if they also spend hours on digital devices.

Why Allergies Make Dry Eye Worse

Allergies don’t just cause temporary irritation — they actively make dry eye symptoms more severe:

• Histamine and inflammation: Allergic swelling alters the tear film’s balance, leading to more instability.
• Watery tearing isn’t lubrication: Allergy-related tearing flushes out allergens but doesn’t provide the essential oils and mucins needed to keep eyes comfortable.
• Meibomian gland dysfunction: Inflammation can block the eyelid’s oil glands, causing tears to evaporate too quickly.

In short: allergy flare-ups make the tear film unstable, so even mild dry eye can feel much worse.

Common Symptoms Patients Notice

Because symptoms overlap, many people confuse dry eye with allergies — or assume they only have one condition. Common signs include:

• Burning, gritty, or stinging sensations
• Excess tearing (ironically from dry eye)
• Redness and swelling
• Itchy eyes (hallmark of allergy, worsens dry eye irritation)
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred or fluctuating vision

If you’re unsure whether your discomfort is due to allergies, dry eye, or both, a professional eye exam can help pinpoint the cause.

When to See an Optometrist

While mild cases may improve with at-home care, it’s important to schedule an exam if you experience:

• Ongoing redness, tearing, or irritation despite home remedies
• Pain or significant vision changes
• Symptoms that persist year-round, suggesting chronic dry eye rather than just seasonal allergies

Our team at Eye Roc can diagnose whether allergies, dry eye, or both are behind your discomfort — and recommend a tailored treatment plan.

Schedule Your Dry Eye & Allergy Eye Exam in St. Louis

Don’t let allergies and dry eye keep you from enjoying your daily life. At Eye Roc Eyewear, we’ll identify what’s behind your symptoms and create a treatment plan tailored to you. Book your appointment today and experience clear, comfortable vision — no matter the season.