Like alot of practicing allergists, I too have seasonal allergies. In fact, my skin testing results look far more impressive than many of my patients’. However, I don’t have alot of allergy symptoms unless I’m exposed to cats or freshly-cut grass — except in the spring. This time of year, especially when spending time outdoors on the weekend, my eyes are red and itchy.

But if you can’t get a prescription allergy eye drop, you’re left with a confusing array of over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops to choose from. Most OTC allergy eye drops contain topical decongestants such as naphazoline, which can result in rebound eye redness and congestion with long-term use. There is one medication, ketotifen, that is available as an OTC allergy eye drop that can be used long term. Ketotifen eye drops are marketed under the following brands: Zaditor, Zyrtec Eye Drops and Claritin Eye Drops.

Learn more:

• All About Eye Allergies
• Over-the-Counter Allergy Eye Drops
• How to Use Eye Drops in Children