Do you have red eyes, itchy eyes or watery eyes? If yes, you may be suffering from pollen-induced eye allergies. For many, March begins pollen season, marking the onset of uncomfortable symptoms such as itchy eyes, watery eyes or stinging, red eyes. Spring eye allergies are often a result of the release of pollen from trees and flowers into the air and can result in a severe impact on quality of life for those that suffer from them.

How can you protect your eyes during allergy season? Well the most obvious answer would be to reduce exposure to pollen which means staying inside, particularly when the pollen count is high. Keeping windows closed, cooling off with air conditioners and wearing full-coverage shades when exposed to the elements can also help to protect your eyes from allergens in the atmosphere. A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can be used clear irritants from the air inside your home or office.

However, for the majority of us that must go outside, there are medications that can reduce symptoms such as red eyes, watery eyes or itchy eyes. Often times a basic over-the-counter lubricating eye drop is all that's needed to soothe and alleviate itchy eyes or red eyes and remove irritants. Medications containing antihistamines, decongestants or mast cell stabilizers are made to reduce inflammation of the eyes and treat other symptoms such as congestion and sneezing. Eye drops are sometimes recommended because they can work better than pills or liquid medications to treat eye symptoms.

About 20% of the U.S. population, or 54 million people suffer from allergies, nearly half of which are eye allergies. Eye allergies often run in families and are the result of an over-sensitivity to a particle in the eye even when it is not necessarily harmful. The eyes then release histamines and other immune mediators which cause excessive tears, itching, burning, redness and irritation.

One of the most important things to remember is, don't rub red, itchy. Doing so can only exacerbate the irritation. Due to the fact that some of the products that work to alleviate symptoms do need a prescription, if over-the-counter solutions are not working for you, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.