The Misery of Itchy, Watery Eyes
MONDAY, June 2 (HealthScoutNews) -- Allergy sufferers are more likely than others to accept having itchy, red, watery eyes, says a new survey by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
The survey found that four out of five Americans said they wouldn't put up with such uncomfortable eye conditions for more than a day. But almost half of eye allergy sufferers said they endure these symptoms for weeks or longer and don't bother to talk about it with their doctor.
Eye allergies affect most of the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies.
This survey of 2,000 adults found that 37 percent reported having nasal allergies. The majority of those people (82 percent) also reported suffering itchy, red, watery eyes.
More than half (58 percent) of the eye allergy sufferers said they don't discuss their eye allergies with a doctor. That's despite the fact that 41 percent of them said their current treatment for eye allergies isn't effective or only somewhat effective in treating their symptoms.
The survey also found that for every eye allergy sufferer using prescription eye drops, there were two using non-prescription medications that offer only short-term relief.
"It's very common for people with eye allergies to just put up with their symptoms and not discuss them with their physician. But no one should have to suffer because there are a variety of treatment options that provide safe and effective relief from this irritating and annoying condition," Dr. John Winder, chairman of the ACAAI's eye allergy awareness campaign, says in a news release.
The ACAAI has a public education brochure about eye allergies. It answers questions about the problem and includes a self-quiz about eye allergy symptoms. Here's where you can find the eye allergy quiz.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about eye allergies.
--Robert Preidt
SOURCE: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, news release, May 2003
Copyright � 2003 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
|
