For many people, spring and fall bring more than warmer weather and blooming trees - they also bring itchy, watery, irritated eyes. Seasonal allergies can significantly affect eye health, often triggering symptoms that go far beyond mild discomfort. In some cases, they can even worsen underlying conditions like dry eye and eyelid inflammation.

How Seasonal Allergies Affect Your Eyes

Seasonal allergies occur when airborne allergens such as pollen, mold spores, or dust trigger an immune response. When these allergens come into contact with your eyes, they can cause inflammation of the conjunctiva and eyelids, leading to symptoms such as:

•           Persistent itching or burning

•           Redness or bloodshot eyes

•           Excessive tearing or watery eyes

•           Swollen eyelids

•           Gritty or sandy sensations

•           Increased contact lens discomfort

Many people instinctively rub their eyes for relief, but this can actually worsen inflammation, disrupt the tear film, and introduce bacteria to the eyelids.

The Allergy-Dry Eye Connection

Seasonal allergies don’t just cause temporary irritation - they can directly worsen dry eye disease. Allergic inflammation can disrupt the delicate balance of your tear film, while swollen or clogged oil glands prevent healthy tears from staying on the eye’s surface.

Over time, this can lead to:

•           Faster tear evaporation

•           Chronic dryness and irritation

•           Blurred or fluctuating vision

•           Increased eye fatigue

When allergy symptoms linger, at-home eye drops alone may no longer be enough.

Why Eye Cleaning Matters

Allergens, oil buildup, dead skin cells, and bacteria tend to collect along the eyelid margins, especially during allergy season. This buildup can block the meibomian glands, worsen inflammation, and make allergy symptoms harder to control. A professional, in-office treatment targets the source of irritation rather than just masking symptoms - helping your eyes heal and function better long-term.

LidPro Eye Exfoliator with MiBoFlo Thermoelectric Technology

Westchester Eyes offers advanced, non-invasive treatments designed to deeply cleanse the eyelids, reduce inflammation, and restore healthy tear production.

The LidPro Eye Exfoliator and MiBoFlo Thermoelectric technology provides a powerful solution for eyelid inflammation and gland blockage. This treatment gently exfoliates the eyelid margins while delivering consistent, therapeutic heat to loosen clogged oils.

Benefits include:

•           Removal of allergen buildup and debris

•           Improved oil gland function

•           Reduced inflammation and irritation

•           Enhanced tear film stability

Patients often experience noticeable relief after treatment, especially during peak allergy seasons.

Blephasteam Moist Heat Therapy

Blephasteam delivers controlled, moist heat directly to the eyelids in a comfortable, relaxing session. This treatment helps soften thickened oils within the glands while soothing irritated tissues.

Blephasteam is especially helpful for:

•           Allergy-related dry eye symptoms

•           Meibomian gland dysfunction

•           Red, swollen, or inflamed eyelids

•           Eye strain caused by chronic irritation

By improving natural oil flow, Blephasteam supports healthier, longer-lasting tears.

Get Advanced Care for Allergy-Related Eye Discomfort

If seasonal allergies are affecting your eye comfort or vision, the team at Westchester Eyes is here to help. We offer advanced diagnostic care and in-office treatments designed to target the root causes of allergy-related eye irritation.

Schedule a consultation at Westchester Eyes or learn whether LidPro Eye Exfoliation or Blephasteam therapy is right for you. Contact our offices in Yonkers, White Plains, or Pleasantville, New York, by calling (914) 586-EYES (3937) to book an appointment today.