Best Eye Drops for Allergies

Antihistamine eye drops are often used to treat eye allergies. However, finding the right brand for your specific allergy can be challenging.

To help you find the best eye drops for allergies, we researched and reviewed leading brands of over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine eye drops. Read our top recommendations to help you decide when buying antihistamine eye drops.

All the OTC eye-drop products on our list are available without a prescription; however, only Zaditor, Alaway, and Pataday are antihistamine formulations.

Consult your eye doctor for individualized advice about these eye drops, especially if you have known eye conditions or sensitivity.

Everything We Recommend

Best Overall: Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops

Best for Itchy Eyes: Bausch + Lomb Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops

Best for Long-Lasting Relief: Pataday Once Daily Relief

Best for Contact Lens Wearers: Refresh Optive Lubricant Eye Drops

Best Eye Drops for Allergies

There are plenty of antihistamine eye drops available over the counter. Keep in mind, some brands have the same ingredients but in different amounts.

Understanding which amount suits you is essential to determine what’s best for you. Here are the best eye drops for relieving allergy symptoms:

Best Overall: Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops

One of the reasons we recommend Zaditor over other antihistamine eye drops is that it doesn’t contain a vasoconstrictor. A vasoconstrictor is an ingredient that provides relief by shrinking the eye’s blood vessels.

Healthcare professionals advise against using products with this ingredient as a regular redness reliever. Vasoconstrictors can cause redness to worsen after the medication wears off, known as rebound redness.

Best for Itchy Eyes: Alaway Eye Drops

They can also treat watery eyes and eye inflammation without causing dry eyes.

Best for Longest Lasting Relief: Olopatadine Eye Drops (Pataday)

It contains olopatadine, another type of antihistamine eye drop that’s also a mast cell stabilizer. This once-daily drop treats symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, similar to ketotifen eye drops.

Best for Contact Lens Wearers: Refresh Optive Lubricant Eye Drops

While the product doesn’t contain antihistamines, carboxymethylcellulose and glycerin are active ingredients. These hydrate and soothe itchy, irritated eyes.

How to Use Antihistamine Eye Drops

If you have any questions about using eye drops for allergies, the best thing to do is ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor if you can wear contacts while using antihistamine eye drops.

Here are general steps to follow when using antihistamine eye drops:

• Carefully read the instructions if you’re using an OTC product.
• Ask your doctor about the dosage and frequency if you’re using prescription eye drops.
• Remove your contact lenses before applying the drops unless the instructions indicate they’re safe for contact use.
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before applying eye drops. 
• Avoid touching the dropper tip with your eye, fingers, or anything else, as this can contaminate the dropper.
• Tilt your head backward and pull down your lower eyelid. Then apply the eye drop to the affected eye as directed.
• Close your eyes and gently massage your eyelid to prevent the eye drop from washing away.
• Store your eye drops in a cool place. The temperature should be between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
• After applying eye drops, check the instructions for how long you should wait before wearing your contacts.

Only use antihistamine eye drops for as long as prescribed or when necessary. Overuse of antihistamine eye drops can lead to more problems.

What Are the Side Effects of Allergy Eye Drops?

In some cases, antihistamine eye drops may cause mild symptoms and side effects. They can include: 

• Burning or stinging feeling in the eye
• Irritation around the eyelid margins
• Dry eyes
• Blurry vision
• Mild headache
• Nasal congestion
• Bad taste in the back of the mouth
• Increased sensitivity to light

What Do Antihistamine Eye Drops Do?

Antihistamine eye drops work by relieving itching and irritation in your eyes. Allergens like dust mites, mold spores, and pollen trigger the release of histamines, which can often cause itchiness as part of your body's allergic response.

You can use antihistamine eye drops to treat allergy symptoms that involve your eyes. These include symptoms caused by seasonal allergies and allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye). 

Many leading eye drop brands contain ketotifen fumarate because it’s an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer. Antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers treat allergies by blocking histamine receptors and preventing the release of histamines.

Who Should Use Eye Drops for Allergies?

Healthcare professionals recommend eye drops containing antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers for people with eye allergies. You may find that allergy eye drops relieve your eye allergy symptoms, even if oral antihistamines don’t.

Most people with itchy, irritated eyes caused by histamine reactions will benefit from short-term use of allergy eye drops. If you have long-term (chronic) allergies, we recommend seeing a board-certified allergist for treatment.

Speak with your doctor before taking antihistamine eye drops if you experience the following conditions:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• High eye pressure or glaucoma
• High blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease
• Chronic health conditions, such as kidney disease or liver disease
• Redness, itching, and other symptoms related to conditions aside from eye allergies

When Should You Call a Doctor?

Most eye allergies respond well to drops, but some situations need professional attention. Watch out for these key warning signs:

• Severe pain or sharp discomfort
• Increased sensitivity to bright light
• Noticeable vision changes
• Persistent symptoms with no improvement
• Recurring or severe symptoms

If these occur, consider prescription-strength medications, including dual-action drops or even allergy shots. Your eye care provider can help determine the best next step, including whether tele-optometry might be a convenient option.