A.  First-line therapy includes avoidance, cold compresses, lubrication, and those who wear contact lenses should use the disposable kind.
Avoidance, however, is easier said than done in some cases, especially when it comes to seasonal allergies. You can’t really move away for 3 to 4 months at a time!  And while artificial tears don’t address the cause of the problem, they are nonetheless helpful in rinsing away allergens.

Those with ocular (eye) allergies have numerous therapies available after these first-line remedies are tried.  Topical eye antihistamines (prescription and over-the-counter) give immediate relief.  However, these cannot be used with contact lenses in place.  Steroid nasal sprays may be useful for eye symptoms related to nasal allergies, indirectly, in milder cases.  Over-the-counter oral antihistamines can help as well, but may lead to dry eye problems.  See an allergist for assessment of what is causing your allergies, and to determine if any of your allergy triggers are avoidable.  Allergen immunotherapy, or allergy shots, work very well to control eye allergy symptoms, but will not work immediately.