How to stop itchy, watery eyes from allergies?

Wash your face with cool water and gently clean your eyelids and lashes with a damp cloth or lid wipe when you come indoors. This removes pollen that has settled on your skin and lashes.

Do not use vasoconstrictive eye drops like Visine Original or Clear Eyes for allergy symptoms. They reduce redness temporarily but do not treat the underlying allergy and cause rebound redness with regular use.

Ask your allergist or ophthalmologist about alcaftadine 0.25% (Lastacaft) prescription eye drops if OTC options are not providing adequate relief. Use 1 drop per eye once daily.

Resist the urge to rub itchy eyes. Instead, apply a cold compress or use allergy eye drops for relief.

Wear glasses instead of contact lenses on high-pollen days, or switch to daily disposable contacts that you discard each evening.

Wear wraparound sunglasses or close-fitting glasses whenever you are outdoors during allergy season. This creates a physical barrier that reduces pollen contact with your eyes.

Rinse eyes with preservative-free artificial tears (Refresh Optive, Systane Ultra, or TheraTears) several times throughout the day, especially after coming indoors.

Place a cold, damp washcloth or gel eye mask over closed eyes for 5-10 minutes whenever itching or swelling flares up.

Apply olopatadine 0.2% (Pataday Once Daily) 1 drop in each affected eye once daily. Now available OTC.

Apply ketotifen 0.025% (Zaditor or Alaway) 1 drop in each affected eye twice daily, 8-12 hours apart. Available OTC without a prescription.