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HomeHealth TopicEye Care and Vision

Which Eye Drops Are Best for Red Eyes and Allergic Conjunctivitis?

Clay M. Cooper, PharmDTegan Smedley, PharmD, BCPS, APh
Updated on November 14, 2022

Key takeaways:

  • Allergic conjunctivitis is the medical term for red, itchy eyes caused by allergies. Eye drops are a popular treatment option for this symptom.

  • There are many different types of eye drops for allergies. Eye drops work in a variety of ways to treat the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

  • There are many ways to save on your allergy eye drops. Many options are available as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help make your eye drops for allergies more affordable.

A person applying eye drops in a garden.
WHPics/iStock via Getty Images

You may remember a time when you’ve experienced red, itchy eyes. Perhaps you were cutting the grass or playing with the family pet. Whatever the cause, your eyes began to water, itch, and turn red. Maybe you ended up in your local pharmacy looking for allergy eye drops to provide relief.

Like with most over-the-counter (OTC) products, there are many types of eye drops for allergies to choose from. Some have antihistamines, while others have decongestants or moisturizers. There are also prescription allergy eye drops available.

All claim to soothe symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. But which one is the best?

What is allergic conjunctivitis?

Allergic conjunctivitis is the medical term for red, itchy eyes you get from allergies. This condition is caused by an allergic response to something. Pollen, mold, and pet dander are all common allergens (substances that cause allergy symptoms).

Symptoms typically affect both eyes equally. Common symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include: 

  • Itching

  • Tearing

  • Red eyes

  • Puffy eyelids

  • Burning

  • Feeling like something is in your eye

What eye drops treat allergic conjunctivitis?

There are many different types of allergy eye drops. Some OTC brands, like Clear Eyes, Visine, and Refresh, make different types of drops. And, often, there are multiple brand names that contain the same active ingredient. So be sure to check the “Drug Facts” label on the package to see what medication(s) are in the eye drops you have.

Decongestant eye drops

Decongestant eye drops act quickly to reduce eye redness. They work by narrowing the blood vessels in and around the eyes. Many decongestant eye drops also include one or two other medications, like zinc or glycerin. These can help boost the eye drops’ redness relief quality or provide moisture.

While decongestant eye drops work well, they’re not recommended for long-term use. Using them for too long can lead to “rebound redness.”

Examples of decongestant eye drop brands include:

It’s best to only use these for up to 3 days in a row. If you feel you still need them after that, contact your healthcare provider.

Artificial tears and moisturizers

Dry eye is very common. Sometimes it goes hand in hand with red, itchy eyes. For some people, eye drops that mimic natural tears can help return moisture to the eyes.

Artificial tears come as eye drops, gels, and ointments. Gels and ointments are thicker and stay in the eye longer. This can help reduce the number of times you use them per day. But they can cause some blurry vision right after applying them.

Examples of brand-name artificial tears include:

Even though these eye drops act like our natural tears, you should still ask your healthcare provider before using them long term. While generally considered safe, chronic use of artificial tears can worsen dry eye in some cases.

Antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer eye drops

Antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer eye drops are an effective treatment for allergic conjunctivitis. They work in two ways to relieve symptoms: by blocking histamine and stabilizing mast cells.

Histamine is a chemical your immune system makes to help fight off foreign invaders. It can trigger red, itchy eyes as a defense against allergens. An antihistamine blocks histamine’s effects — helping to relieve symptoms.

Mast cells are another part of the immune system. They activate in response to allergens and release many chemicals, including histamine. Mast cell stabilizers work by making mast cells less likely to activate.

Examples of antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer eye drop brands include:

Mast cell stabilizer eye drops

Mast cell stabilizer eye drops are available by prescription only. They work by making mast cells less likely to release histamine. But unlike the OTC antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer eye drops, these don’t block histamine’s effects. Because of this, they’re less effective.

Examples of mast cell stabilizer eye drops include:

These allergy eye drops can take days or weeks to start working. So they may be an option if you experience allergic conjunctivitis frequently. But experts recommend trying other allergy eye drops first before using mast cell stabilizers.

OTC combination allergy eye drops

For the sake of convenience, multiple medications can be combined into one eye drop. Some OTC allergy eye drops contain both an antihistamine and a decongestant. Lubricants may also be added for extra moisture.

As mentioned earlier, it’s important to review the label on the box. Look for the list of active ingredients. This will tell you which medications are included in your eye drops. If you have questions about your specific product, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Examples of combination allergy eye drops include:

Anti-inflammatory eye drops

Anti-inflammatory eye drops fall into two main categories: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. Both NSAIDs and corticosteroids work to reduce swelling and pain in and around the eyes.

They’re typically less effective than antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer drops. Anti-inflammatory eye drops are usually reserved to treat more severe symptoms and require a prescription. They’re also only recommended for brief periods of use.

Examples of anti-inflammatory eye drops include:

Are OTC or prescription allergy eye drops better?

In most cases, OTC allergy eye drops can provide the relief needed for red, itchy eyes. OTC drops are safe and effective in treating allergic conjunctivitis. In some cases, the FDA will actually approve prescription allergy eye medications to be sold OTC, such as with Pataday.

Prescription allergy eye drops are usually considered when symptoms are more severe, or if OTC eye drops don’t work well enough. Excessive or persistent symptoms could point to a condition other than allergic conjunctivitis. In this case, OTC medications may not be appropriate to use.

When should I see a healthcare provider for red, itchy eyes?

Temporary periods of red, itchy eyes with no other symptoms usually don’t need medical attention. Though, if your symptoms don’t improve after a few days or get worse, call your healthcare provider. You should also contact them if you notice eye discharge or crusting. These can be symptoms of a bacterial or viral pink eye infection. Seek emergency help if you have more serious symptoms, such as vision changes or severe headache.

How to save on allergy eye drops

There are many ways to save on your allergy eye drops. GoodRx can help you navigate your options, which may include GoodRx discounts, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs. You can find allergic conjunctivitis eye drop prices as low as $9 with a free GoodRx discount.

The bottom line

Allergic conjunctivitis is the term for red, itchy eyes caused by allergies. OTC eye drops are among the best eye drops for allergies. But if OTC products don’t seem to help within a few days, it’s time to contact your healthcare provider. They may recommend prescription allergy eye drops.

If you have frequent or severe allergic conjunctivitis, talk with your healthcare provider. Some OTC allergy eye drops aren’t recommended for long-term use and can worsen symptoms if not used appropriately.

References

Adamopoulou, C., et al. (2022). Allergic conjunctivitis. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2022). 2020-2021 BCSC basic and clinical science course.

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Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2015). Eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis).

Baab, S., et al. (2022). Allergic conjunctivitis. StatPearls.

Boyd, K. (2019). Pain-relieving eye drops. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Boyd, K. (2021). Redness-relieving eye drops. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

DailyMed. (2016). Refresh liquigel- carboxymethylcellulose sodium gel.

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Fong, M., et al. (2022). Histology, mast cells. StatPearls.

MedlinePlus. (2017). Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2015). OTC drug facts label.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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