Eye Care Products The 8 Best Eye Drops for Allergies of 2023 Bausch + Lomb Alaway Eye Drops provide relief up to 12 hours By Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley is a freelance writer with six years of experience creating personal essays, reported features, and commerce content related to health and parenting topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 12, 2023 Medically reviewed by Jurairat J. Molina, MD Medically reviewed by Jurairat J. Molina, MD Facebook Jurairat J. Molina, MD, MBA is a board-certified allergist who has been practicing in field of allergy and clinical immunology for the past two decades. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell Health / Ashley Bayley Pet dander, dust, ragweed, grass, and pollen can trigger your eyes to have an allergic reaction. Common OTC allergy medications may help, but according to allergist Dr. Christine Franzese, eye allergies can be hard to treat. Whether it's dryness, redness, or itching, eye drops can provide some relief for the different symptoms of eye allergies. When looking for eye drops, it's important to choose one with oral antihistamines, as they "will help with eye symptoms about 50% of the time, and nasal steroid sprays, like fluticasone, will help 60% of the time,” she says. We researched dozens of eye drops for allergies and evaluated them for ingredients, price, and treatment duration. We also had a board-certified allergist from our Medical Expert Board review this article for accuracy regarding formulas, targeting symptoms, and proper use with contact lenses. Below you'll find the best eye drops for allergies on the market today. ljubaphoto / Getty Images Our Top Picks Best Overall: Bausch + Lomb Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Visine Allergy Eye Relief Eye Drops at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Redness: Bausch & Lomb Opcon-A Allergy Eye Drops at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Contact Lens Wearers: Refresh Optive Lubricant Eye Drops at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Dry Eyes: Systane Lubricant Eye Drops at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Itchy Eyes: ALCON Pataday Once Daily Relief at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Eyes: Similasan Allergy Eye Relief Drops at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Watery Eyes: ALCON Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Bausch + Lomb Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Aclens.com Pros Broad-spectrum allergy relief Lasts up to 12 hours Fast acting for irritated eyes Cons May sting or burn with application Can’t be used while wearing contacts We chose the Bausch + Lomb Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops as our top pick because it features 0.025% ketotifen, an opthalmic antihistamine that provides allergy relief. Antihistamines like ketotifen are designed to block the response of histamines. Alaway, with its 12-hour protection, can easily be used to treat common allergic responses to pollen, pet dander, and grass. It starts working right away and can be used with contact lenses (following the directions on the packaging). Eye drops containing only antihistamines, like Alaway, are generally safe for everyday use. Price at time of publication: $20 Active Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025% | Dosage: 1 drop in affected eye(s) twice per day or every 8-12 hours Verywell Health / Hildara Araya What the Experts Say “Ketotifen works by reducing eye allergies through its antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer properties. It works within minutes of administering the drops.” —Yuna Rapoport, MD, director of Manhattan Eye in New York City Best Budget Visine Allergy Eye Relief Multi-Action Eye Drops Amazon View On Amazon View On Riteaid.com Pros Contains an antihistamine for itching and a decongestant for redness Can be used up to 4 times a day Cons Redness rebound possible Doesn’t last as long as other drops The mere mention of OTC eye drops probably makes you think of Visine. The company has been doing eye care for decades, and they offer several different formulations of drops designed to help with literally any eye problem you could possibly have (yes, even eye strain from too much screen time). Because Visine products are pretty affordable, their Visine Allergy Eye Relief Multi-Action Eye Drops are a winning budget pick for anyone who needs allergy relief stat without shelling out lots of cash. With both an antihistamine for itching and a decongestant for redness, they're the eye drops you should grab when allergies catch you by surprise and leave you roaming the pharmacy aisles in desperation. These eye drops are easy to use, and you can use these drops up to four times per day as needed, but not for more than 72 hours in a row. These drops contain a decongestant which you could become dependent on if you use them consistently. Eye allergies that are seasonal or require longer symptom relief should be treated with a product that doesn’t contain any decongestant. Price at time of publication: $10 Active Ingredients: Naphazoline HCl 0.025%, Pheniramine maleate 0.3% | Dosage: 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) up to 4 times a day Verywell Health / Bailey Fink Best for Redness Bausch & Lomb Opcon-A Allergy Eye Drops 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Relieves itching and redness Relief of pollen, grass, and pet dander allergies Safe for intermittent use Cons May cause redness rebound May cause stinging and burning If eye redness is your biggest problem, you’ll probably have to choose drops that contain a decongestant like naphazoline. This ingredient acts as a vasoconstrictor, meaning it shrinks the inflamed blood vessels so they become less noticeable. Bausch & Lomb Opcon-A Allergy Eye Drops are a good choice for redness caused by allergies because it also contains an antihistamine. It can do double-duty on your symptoms, reducing redness on the spot while also relieving itching due to grass, pollen, ragweed, and pets. You need to be careful, though, about overusing this product: Your eyes can become accustomed to the decongestant, and more severe redness can result when you stop using it (which leads you to use the product again, thus continuing the vicious cycle). But intermittent use—up to four times per day for 72 hours at a time—is safe. Price at time of publication: $10 Active Ingredients: Naphazoline HCI 0.02675%, Pheniramine maleate 0.315% | Dosage: 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) up to 4 times daily Verywell Health / Jennifer May Best for Contact Lens Wearers Refresh Optive Lubricant Eye Drops Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Carewell.com Pros Lubricates and hydrates dry eyes Can be used with contacts Relieves grittiness, blurriness, and itching Cons Won’t treat allergies May need to be applied frequently Refresh Optive Lubricant Eye Drops mean good news for contact lens wearers who also suffer from allergies: you don’t have to choose between your contacts and freedom from allergy symptoms! Many allergy eye drops are safe to use with soft contacts. The trick, in this case, is keeping your eyes moisturized since the one-two punch of contact lenses and allergy irritation can do a number on your eyes’ overall moisture. Also comes in a preservative-free option. Price at time of publication: $14 Active Ingredients: Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Glycerin 0.9% | Dosage: 1 or 2 drops in affected eye(s) as needed The 8 Best Places to Buy Contacts Online of 2023 Best for Dry Eyes Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart Pros Like artificial tears for dry, gritty eyes Long-lasting moisture for irritated eyes Cons Won’t treat allergies Not for use with contacts No antihistamines If dryness is your number one eye allergy symptom, you may want to start small with Systane Lubricant Eye Drops, an artificial tear product. You might not need to use antihistamine or decongestant products if lubrication solves your dryness problems. When it comes to keeping your eyes nice and moist, Systane is a consistently good choice: With two different kinds of glycol, a humectant that attracts and binds water to the outer layer of a surface, these drops can be applied anytime your eyes need a serious refresher. While these drops work well for lubricating dry eyes caused by allergies, they can also be used to moisturize gritty or blurry eyes, eye strain or fatigue, and excessive tearing. They're also preservative-free which makes them a great choice for sensitive eyes. They’re basically an all-purpose moisturizer for your eyes. Price at time of publication: $23 Active Ingredients: Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4%, propylene glycol 0.3% | Dosage: 1 or 2 drops in affected eye(s) as needed Verywell Health / Ashley Bayley What the Experts Say “Lubricating drops or artificial tears will treat dry eye, which causes many of the same symptoms that allergic conjunctivitis causes, such as burning, itching, foreign body sensation.” —Yuna Rapoport, MD, director of Manhattan Eye in New York City The 10 Best Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes of 2023 Best for Itchy Eyes ALCON Pataday Once Daily Relief 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS Pros One application needed per day Contains antihistamine ingredient Approved for use in kids over 2 years old Cons You can’t reapply if it wears off May not work as well as ketotifen If you need an antihistamine for your eye allergies, the last thing you want is one that irritates your eyes even more before it starts working. If you haven’t had success with ketotifen-based eye drops, you may want to try one containing olopatadine, like Alcon Pataday Once Daily Relief. Dr. Franzese says this ingredient typically doesn’t sting as much as some others. The antihistamine in Alcon Pataday Once Daily Relief targets itchy eyes and other allergic symptoms caused by grass, pollen, ragweed, and animals, like Bausch + Lomb Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops. It’s perfect for people who work all day around their allergy triggers, since it lasts 16 hours and only needs to be used once a day (although there is also a twice-daily formulation if you need the overnight protection). Price at time of publication: $22 Active Ingredients: Olopatadine 0.2% | Dosage: 1 drop in affected eye(s) once daily Best for Sensitive Eyes Similasan Allergy Eye Relief Drops 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS Pros No pharmaceutical ingredients Multi-symptom allergy relief Gentle so can be used as needed Cons May not be strong enough for severe allergies Possibility of allergic reaction to natural ingredients Similasan Allergy Eye Relief Drops are for anyone with sensitive eyes looking for natural eye allergy treatments. Similasan eye drops don't contain medications, preservatives, or other chemicals, Similasan offers an eye drop containing gentle, non-irritating ingredients. These allergy relief drops treat sensitive eye symptoms such as redness, itching, and stinging. Because the ingredients are natural, you can use the drops as needed without worrying about side effects or rebound symptoms. They contain three primary botanical extracts that work to tackle your symptoms naturally. The company advises wearers to check with a doctor first before using this product with contact lenses. Price at time of publication: $12 Active Ingredients: None | Dosage: 2 to 3 drops in affected eye(s) as needed Verywell Health / Paden Reich Best for Watery Eyes ALCON Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops 4.2 Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart Pros Lasts a long time and works fast Original prescription strength Broad-spectrum relief for allergens including seasonal Cons May sting or burn with application Can’t be used while contacts are in eye Not a lubricant Are you sick of hearing about ketotifen yet? Sorry, but we’ve got one more for you. Lots of eye allergy sufferers swear by Alcon Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops, which contains this antihistamine powerhouse and relieves your symptoms for 12 hours with just one drop. If you have watery eyes, you should be looking for a product with an antihistamine—they’re known for their ability to dry up mucus, which is why they are so good at stopping runny noses and post-nasal drip. For watery eyes, an antihistamine can reduce all those excess tears caused by environmental allergens. Zaditor can help with everything from seasonal pollen to dry air in office buildings, providing both immediate and long-lasting relief. They can be used indefinitely without any rebound effect and are safe for use with contacts, too (per the directions on the packaging). Price at time of publication: $20 Active Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025% | Dosage: 1 drop in affected eye(s) twice per day or every 8-12 hours The 6 Best Vacuums for Allergies of 2023 How We Selected the Best Eye Drops for Allergies When selecting the best eye drops for allergies, we researched dozens of top brands and formulations. We also spoke to allergists and an ophthalmologist to find out what patients should look for in an over-the-counter solution to eye allergy irritation. These experts include: Christine Franzese, MD, allergist at the University of Missouri Health Care Yuna Rapoport, MD, MPH, director of Manhattan Eye in New York City Kathleen Dass, MD, Michigan-based allergist and immunologist When narrowing down our choices, we considered two different types of drops: mast cell stabilizers and antihistamines, as well as the dosages for each product, and whether or not they work for contact lens wearers. Our top priorities were finding eye drops that target allergy-related symptoms and identifying products that are effective without being expensive. What to Look for in Eye Drops for Allergies Ingredients There are two main kinds of ingredients in eye drops that can reduce your allergic reaction to seasonal or environmental triggers: Mast cell stabilizers Antihistamines While eye drops that include lubricating ingredients, like the polyethylene glycol found in artificial tears, may be helpful in soothing eye irritation, they don’t actually stop the histamine response at the root of your problems. The ingredient that will work best varies from person to person, so be ready for a little trial and error. “If you have tried an antihistamine eye drop and not found relief, you may find relief with a mast cell stabilizer,” says Dr. Dass. “In rare circumstances, we use both to treat because they work differently.” You might think that more ingredients equals more kinds of relief, but that’s not necessarily the case. Many eye drops, especially those that reduce redness, include vasoconstrictors in the form of decongestants, and these aren’t safe for long-term use. “It's okay to use these drops rarely if you need to—however they will not provide long-term allergy relief [and can also] create rebound redness,” explains Dr. Dass. Target Symptoms Because eye drops often focus on relieving a single symptom of allergies, you’ll have to experiment a little when it comes to finding a product that works for you. If you only have one symptom, like dryness, you don’t need a multi-action drop. On the other hand, if your eyes are itchy, red, and watery, that might be your best bet. As with any other medication, you can’t properly treat your symptoms if you don’t know what they are. Dr. Dass says it's important to confirm that you’re definitely dealing with eye allergies, not a similar problem like dry eyes or blepharitis (also called granulated eyelids), since those conditions are treated differently. Eye redness and grittiness can also be symptomatic of viral conjunctivitis or pink eye, in which case getting an accurate temperature reading would aid in diagnosis and treatment. You may need to meet with an allergist to hone in on your individual symptoms and, preferably, figure out your triggers; while eye drops can treat symptoms, the only way to prevent symptoms entirely is to avoid your triggers. Dosage Most drops will require you to use them once or twice per day. You’ll get the same amount of medication over a 24-hour period, but one way may end up being more preferable to you than the other. For example, if you find the effects of the drops wearing off after 10 hours but you’re using a once-daily drop, you’ll be left with symptoms for a long time before you can take another dose. But if you wear contact lenses, it could be a total hassle to remove your contacts twice a day for administering drops, warns Dr. Dass. Make sure you think about your schedule and ability to use the drops before choosing between 12- and 24-hour formulations. Use With Contact Lenses Speaking of contacts, it’s important to make sure the eye drops are safe for use with your lenses. “Most eye drop instructions recommend waiting 10 to 15 minutes before putting in your contacts,” says Dr. Dass, who emphasizes the importance of reading the instructions that come with your brand of eye drops (you want the medication to be fully absorbed before you put your lenses in, or they can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication). Also, it is a good idea to take your allergies into account when shopping for contacts to find ones that won't further exacerbate your symptoms. Frequently Asked Questions Can I use allergy eye drops for pink eye? It depends on what’s causing your pink eye; conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies, a virus, or bacteria, says Dr. Rapoport, so if your pink eye has been caused by allergies then these types of drops would be useful. If a virus or bacteria is the culprit, allergy drops won’t help.So how do you know if your pink eye is from allergies? Dr. Rapoport says if your symptoms are chronic (i.e., they last over a long period of time, not suddenly), if there is no yellow mucus that comes out, and if the ophthalmologist sees "papillae" or bumps on the inside of the eyelid during an eye exam. Do eye drops for allergies help with red eye? Just like with pink eye, the cause for your red eye symptoms matters: if pollen or animal dander (or all that scratching you're doing because of pollen or pet dander) has made your eyes red and irritated, then allergy eye drops may help. But Dr. Rapoport stresses that other eye conditions like dry eye, blepharitis, and infection can also cause red eye—and allergy eye drops will not relieve your red eye in those cases. Can I develop a dependency on eye drops? If the eye drops contain certain ingredients, you can develop a dependency. The main ingredient to be extremely mindful of is Naphazoline HCI; this is a decongestant ingredient which shrinks the blood vessels in your eye to make them appear less visibly red, but it will cause a rebound effect if used too often.In other words, the more you use redness relieving eye drops, the redder your eyes will become—and the more you’ll feel like you need to use a redness reliever, kicking off a vicious cycle where you become dependent. How can you avoid this? By using redness relieving drops with decongestant ingredients sparingly.“Those drops should not be used more than just every so often for a special occasion or picture,” explains Dr. Rapoport. How much do allergy eye drops cost? Because allergy eye drops are generally sold over-the-counter, the price range is largely affordable, with most prices falling under $15. A few of the options on our list are multipacks—great for people who frequently use eye drops or households of allergy-sufferers—which might run closer to $20. The most expensive item on our list is our top choice, Alaway, which comes in a two-pack; our least expensive option is Visine, which came in at under $7 at the time of publication. Name-brand are typically around the same price as generic products. Why Trust Verywell Health Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017—everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain. 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