Eye Allergies and the Naso-Ocular Reflex

Allergic eye symmptoms can be caused by the allergens you inhale through your nose.

Allergy sufferers' red, itchy, watery eyes may in part be a response triggered by an allergic response of the nose.

As Reuters Health reports, the nasonasal reflex, in which an allergen introduced into one nostril causes the other nostril to respond in kind, has been demonstrated previously. Because the eyes and the nasal cavity share the same nerve supply, researchers thought that eye allergies occurred not only from direct exposure to allergens, but also due to a similar reflex response.

Indeed, research demonstrated that histamine release in the nose does in fact trigger eye allergies. This means that the pollen or other allergens you inhale are most likely the culprit in your eye allergy symptoms; while some allergen does probably get into your eye directly, this amount is much smaller than the amount you inhale.

In further corroboration of these findings, corticosteroids that are delivered through the nasal passages can also reduce eye allergy symptoms.

Dr. Fuad M. Baroody and his colleagues at the University of Chicago reported their findings in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The researchers conclude, "The eye symptoms associated with allergic rhinities probably arise, in part, from a naso-ocular reflex."

For relief of allergic eye symptoms through treatment of nasal symptoms, see Sinus Relief and Nasal Irrigation Products.

Posted by Shifrah on Monday, March 31, 2008

Leave a Comment | Read Comments (0) | Email This | digg it

No Comments

Leave a Comment

Register
Forgot your password?

Subscribe in a reader

Email to a Friend

Seed Newsvine

Allergy Links

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Indoor Air Quality links

EPA's IAQ Reports
IAQ Information from the American Lung Association

Healthy Home links

University of Wisconsin: Healthy Home tool
The Lung Association: Healthy Home tool

This blog is maintained by achoo! ALLERGY & AIR Products, a leading retailer of allergy relief products including air purifiers, allergy bedding, and HEPA vacuum cleaners.

Eye Allergies and the Naso-Ocular Reflex

Archives

Categories

Search

Allergy Links

Indoor Air Quality links

Healthy Home links