Itchy red eyes can interfere with everyday responsibilities. So, if you’ve got a case of itchy eyes that are caused by allergies, it’s important to relieve them as soon as possible to go on with your daily duties without a hitch. Having a bottle of anti-itch eye drops in your bag or in your pocket can give you easy access to instant relief. However, finding the right product to have in tote can prove to be a major challenge.
If you’ve found yourself struggling to pick the best allergy medicine for itchy eyes, this comprehensive buying guide should steer you in the right direction.
Top 10 Allergy Medicines for Itchy Eyes Chart
| Picture | Name | Preservative-Free | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Visine 10.350-A Eye Allergy Relief, Antihistamine & Redness Reliever Eye Drops-1 oz, Twin Pack | No | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 2. Alcon Naphcon-A Allergy Relief Eye Drops, 0.5-Ounce Bottles | No | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 3. Alcon Zaditor Twin Pack Eye-Drops, 0.34 Ounce | No | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 4. Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops, 0.34 Ounces, 2 Count | No | $$$$ | 4.6 |
 | 5. Zaditor Eye Itch Relief Drops 5 ml | No | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 6. Boiron Optique1 Eye Drops 30 Dose | Yes | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 7. Opcon-A Eye Drops 15 ml (Pack of 3) | No | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 8. Equate Eye Itch Relief 60-Day Supply Compare to Zaditor | No | $ | 4.1 |
 | 9. Similasan Allergy Eye Relief Eye Drops, .33 Ounce Bottle | Yes | $$ | 3.9 |
 | 10. Akorn Ketotifen Opth Sol 0.025% *Compare to Zaditor* | No | $$ | 3.9 |
Buying Information for Allergy Medicine for Itchy Eyes
Eye drops for itchy eyes are completely different in formulation from lubricating eye drops and eye drops for redness. For this reason, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for to ensure positive results and instant relief.
- Anti-Histamine. Itchy eyes that are caused by allergies call for the action of an anti-histamine. While most anti-histamine products are taken orally, there are eye drops that incorporate the ingredient in their formula. This component filters in through the tissues under the eye lids and around the eyes to be absorbed into the blood stream where it locally resolves the allergic reaction.
- Instant Relief. Even if an eye drop solution doesn’t have anti-histamine, it can still reduce itching. This is called symptomatic relief, which targets the symptoms of the allergic reaction instead of the allergy itself. Some eye drops are formulated for just the itching symptom. So if that’s what you’ve decided to purchase, be sure to take anti-histamine in tandem with it.
- Preservative-Free. Some eye drops contain preservatives which are incorporated for the purpose of prolonging the shelf-life of the product. While this can be of benefit for people who want to be able to keep their eye drops in storage until the next time they experience an allergic reaction, preservatives in an eye drop solution can cause serious side effects for people with specific sensitivities.
Remember, the best allergy medicine for itchy eyes is the one that won’t cause any more irritation than you’re already experiencing. If you want to prolong the life of preservative-free eye drops, consider purchasing them in single-use vials. This way, you don’t risk the shelf-life of the whole package when you use one.
Top 3 Best Allergy Medicine for Itchy Eyes Reviews
1. Visine Antihistamine & Redness Reliever Eye Drops
Visine is a prominent brand among eye drops, with their allergy relief solution considered by many as one of the best available in drugstores. This particular option does include antihistamine in its formulation, thus making it much more effective at targeting the cause of the allergic reaction all together.
The formula is very potent, bringing down not only itching, but resolving swelling and redness as well. For this reason, it’s an ideal pick if your allergic reaction has become more severe with time. Visine 10.350-A Eye Allergy Relief Antihistamine Eye Drops works well for all kinds of allergies, but works best on those caused by pollen, dust, and pet hair.
The only downside to this product is that it does contain a reasonable amount of preservatives. While the previous option wasn’t entirely free of this component as well, the ratio was much smaller, making it much less likely to cause adverse reactions. Be sure to test out the drops first to see if you’ll develop any side-effects due to the presence of preservatives.
2. Alcon Naphcon-A Allergy Relief Eye Drops
Alcon Naphcon-A Allergy Relief Eye Drops is another close contender in the market of eye drops for itchy eyes caused by allergies. This product relieves both itching and redness in order to bring eyes back to optimal health. The 0.3% pheniramine maleate in the solution works to combat the allergic reaction itself, so the product doesn’t only relieve the symptom but also fights to calm the body’s reaction to the identified allergen.
This product also contains preservatives, much like the previous two options. However, because the concentration of its preservative component is much higher, it’s much more likely to encourage the development of side-effects and irritation. That said, people with very sensitive eyes should avoid using the product all together.
Regardless, it has worked for a large number of people. So if you’re willing to take the risk and there are no other options available, Alcon Naphcon-A Allergy Relief Eye Drops might be a good solution.
3. Alcon Zaditor Twin Pack Eye-Drops
Rated by consumers as the best allergy medicine for itchy eyes, Alcon Zaditor Eye Drops is a specially formulated soothing eye drop solution that helps relieve itching eyes almost instantly. It incorporates anti-histamine into its formula which makes it highly effective at not only symptomatic relief, but also speedy resolution of the itch-causing allergy itself.
This particular product works best with allergic reactions that are caused by allergens in the environment such as pollen, dust, and pet hair. The mild formula isn’t likely to cause any irritation or side-effects, and gently washes away any allergens that may have been left behind in the eyes.
The only point of concern you might find with Zaditor Eye Drops is that it can be hefty on the pocket compared to other options. Despite this however, this product can offer instant, effective, and long-lasting relief from even the most severe cases of itchy eyes. So if you’re looking for an effective allergy medication for itchy eyes and don’t mind spending a little extra, Alcon Zaditor Eye Drops should be your top choice.