discovering dry eye Allergies or Dry BY BARBARA CAFFERY, OD, MS,
FAAO It is now time for buds to appear on the trees, the sun to
shine and the temperature to climb. Most of our patients will be
in better moods as the season changes in the Northern
Hemisphere. When the heat goes off indoors, the When the heat
goes off indoors, the dryness will decrease and some symptoms of
dry eye will dissipate. However, the new spring growth adds to
the mix of anterior segment symptoms. It requires our diligent
clinical skills to determine: dry eye, allergy or both? Patient
history is important in making your diagnosis. The most common
form of ocular allergy is seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
(SAC). Symptoms like ocular itching, tearing and burning begin
once pollens and antigens appear. Dry eye patients have less
seasonal variation. They present with symptoms of discomfort,
dryness and irritation, and are less likely to report itchiness
as a primary symptom. The inflammatory responses of these two
conditions also differ. S