It seems as soon as the flowers start to bloom, I see many patients with symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Pollen from grasses, flowers and trees can cause your eyes to get red, swollen, itchy and tear. This is called allergic conjunctivitis, and just like any other allergy is caused by a misfiring of the immune system— the body’s natural defense mechanism.

When you have allergies, your body reacts to things that aren’t really harmful, like pollen. It releases histamine, a chemical that causes swelling and inflammation. The blood vessels in your eyes swell and your eyes get red, teary, and itchy.