Allergy Testing by AllerFocus™

With AllerFocus™ allergy testing, our eye doctors can pinpoint what’s triggering your allergies and recommend targeted treatment to alleviate dry eye discomfort.

If you suffer from dry eye symptoms such as burning, itchy eyes, your allergies may be to blame. Unfortunately, the medications used to treat allergies can also cause dry eye symptoms as a side effect.

At Primary Eye Care of Arlington, we offer AllerFocus™ allergy testing to help patients experiencing dry eye symptoms due to ocular allergies or allergy medications. This testing identifies the exact cause of your allergies so you can be treated without taking allergy medications that could worsen your dry eye symptoms. 

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What are the symptoms of eye allergies? 

Allergies can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including red, itchy eyes and dry eye. If your symptoms are related to an eye allergy, you will most likely have problems in both eyes. 

Other symptoms typically include: 

  • Watery eyes 
  • Sensitivity to light 
  • Grittiness 
  • Eyelid swelling 

These symptoms may occur alone or alongside nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Normally, an allergic reaction develops shortly after exposure to an allergen. Seasonal outdoor allergens generally cause more serious symptoms than indoor allergens, such as dust mites or pet dander. Medications like antihistamines can help suppress allergic reactions and reduce symptoms.

Allergy testing by AllerFocus™  

Finding relief from eye allergies starts with understanding what’s causing them. Although eye drops and other treatments can provide temporary relief, AllerFocus™ allergy testing pinpoints the exact allergen responsible so your eye doctor can recommend the best treatment approach. 

After identifying the allergen, sublingual immunotherapy helps your body build tolerance. This may allow you to reduce or stop allergy medications that can aggravate dry eye symptoms.

What is sublingual immunotherapy?  

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a type of allergy treatment that involves administering small doses of an allergen extract beneath the tongue. By gradually exposing the body to low levels of the allergen, SLIT helps reduce sensitivity and build tolerance over time. As tolerance increases, allergy symptoms often lessen or may resolve altogether.

The benefits of SLIT  

One of the biggest advantages of SLIT is that it offers a safer, more convenient approach to allergy treatment, including:

  • Avoiding many of the unpleasant side effects associated with traditional allergy medications, such as antihistamines

  • Reducing the risk of allergic reactions by introducing allergens in small, controlled doses rather than large exposures

  • Eliminating the need for injections or invasive procedures, making treatment more comfortable and convenient

Schedule an appointment at Primary Eye Care   

If you think allergies or allergy medications are causing your dry eye symptoms, our expert eye doctors and team are here to help you get relief. Schedule an appointment for an eye exam at our Arlington location today.