Ketorolac (Acular, Acuvail) is the only NSAID approved for the treatment of itchy eyes. Itching usually starts to go away about 1 hour after using the eyedrops. These eyedrops often cause stinging or burning when first placed in the eyes. Corticosteroid eyedrops are used to treat severe, long-term eye allergy symptoms.
Relieve the itching by placing a clean, cold, damp washcloth or an ice pack over your closed eyes. You can also try bathing your eyes with cold water. Try not to rub your eyes because this will make the itching worse and could damage them.
Benadryl and Claritin are both antihistamines, but Claritin is likely more effective for itchy eyes. It also causes less drowsy effects and only needs to be taken once per day, whereas Benadryl needs to be taken every 4-6 hours to manage allergy symptoms.
Eye allergies can come with a variety of symptoms, ranking from minor eye irritation to more visible and annoying reactions. ZYRTEC® is only indicated for itchy, watery eyes.
Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratidine) are two popular brands. They contain different compounds but appear to be equally effective. Antihistamines can reduce allergy symptoms, such as watering eyes, itchy skin, hives, and swelling.
Over time, chronic eye rubbing causes micro-scratches on the cornea, and those small scratches accumulate to cause serious damage. In the beginning, a scratched cornea may cause eye-watering, redness, and light sensitivity. If the damage becomes worse, the cornea can become infected or develop scar tissue.
Tear duct infections, or dacryocystitis, produce itchy, irritated and watery eyes. A lot of the time, simple allergies are the cause of dry itchy eyes. Seasonal pollen, pet dander, or more specific skin allergies can sap the moisture from your eyes. Certain foods can also exacerbate this type of problem.
For dry or itchy eyes: Look for “lubricant eye drops” or “artificial tears” on the label, from brands that include Refresh, Systane Ultra, or TheraTears. For itchy eyes: Look for Ketotifen, from brands that include Alaway or Zaditor; or Naphazoline and Pheniramine, by the brands Naphcon A, Opcon-A, or Visine-A.
LASTACAFT is an antihistamine eye drop that temporarily relieves itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair, and dander for ages two and older.
Dose: 1 drop every 12 hours in both eyes. For severe allergies, the use of ketotifen eye drops every day will help the most. Use these eye drops until pollen season is over.
Viruses and bacteria can infect the lining of the eye or tear duct, causing itching in the corner of the eye. Allergies and how often the body produces and drains tears may also cause itchy eyes. Most causes are treatable with OTC medication, which can ease the symptoms and provide relief from the itching.
A blocked tear duct is a full or partial obstruction (blockage) in the nasal (nose) passageways that drain tears. If you have a blocked tear duct, your eyes may be itchy, irritated and watery. Another name for a blocked tear duct is nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Lacrimal refers to tears.
Although rubbing your eye may provide temporary relief to dry and itchy eyes, it's best to avoid it. When you stimulate the eye and eyelids with rubbing, it causes the tear glands to produce more tears, which is where some of the relief comes from. Typically this relief is short-lived and temporary.
Eye infection and inflammation
Other forms of conjunctivitis, unrelated to allergic reactions, also frequently contribute to itchy eyes. Conjunctivitis can develop in the aftermath of viral or bacterial infections and illnesses, like the common cold, the flu and COVID-19.
Itchy Eyes and Conjunctivitis Might Be the Latest COVID-19 Symptoms.
There is no permanent cure for dry eyes, but some treatments can relieve your discomfort for a long time. These include punctal plugs, surgery, and the long-term use of artificial tears and compresses.
Sandoz issued a voluntary recall of 1,023,430 units of Zyrtec (10 mg) capsules as a result of failed impurities and a specification being reported for impurity at the 21-month stability time point, according to an FDA Enforcement Report.
Zyrtec (cetirizine) is the strongest of the second-generation antihistamines, says Dr. Garcia-Ibáñez. And because there is less chance of toxicity with this medication, the dosage can be increased substantially, at the discretion of your doctor, he says. Zyrtec is an effective treatment for allergy symptoms and hives.
See a healthcare provider if eye irritation is severe and sudden or lasts longer than a few days. You should also see one right away if you have symptoms such as: Discharge or “goop” in your eye, especially if it's green or yellow. Sensitivity to light.
This is called a foreign body sensation. A doctor may not find anything wrong with your eye. If you had something very small in your eye, like a speck of dirt, tears may have washed it out. Or you may have a small scratch on the surface of the eye (cornea), which can make it feel as if something is still in your eye.