Allergies, Pink Eye, or Dry Eye? Why Fall Brings More Eye Irritation

Why Are Your Eyes So Irritated This Fall?

As cooler, drier air moves into Ventura County and the Los Angeles area, many people notice red, itchy, or watery eyes. Seasonal allergies and contagious pink eye are common culprits—but dry eye is another major cause that often gets overlooked, and fall weather makes it worse. 

At DLV Vision, we help patients from Camarillo to Encino find relief from seasonal eye discomfort. Let’s look at how to tell the difference between allergies, pink eye, and dry eye—and how we treat dry eye with advanced solutions like LipiFlow®. 

Fall Allergies (Allergic Conjunctivitis)

Fall allergies—often called allergic conjunctivitis—are one of the most common reasons people experience red, itchy, watery eyes in autumn. In Southern California, common triggers include ragweed pollen, mold spores, and dust mites, all of which increase as temperatures drop and winds pick up. 

When these allergens come into contact with the eyes, the body’s immune system releases histamines, leading to inflammation and irritation. 

Typical allergy eye symptoms include: 

• Intense itching (the most distinguishing symptom of allergic conjunctivitis) 
• Puffy or swollen eyelids 
• Clear, watery discharge that feels like constant tearing 
• Sneezing, nasal congestion, or runny nose (often appearing alongside eye symptoms) 

Key point: Fall allergies are not contagious. While over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy medications may provide relief, patients with persistent or severe symptoms often need prescription-strength solutions from an eye care specialist. 

Pink Eye (Infectious Conjunctivitis)

Unlike allergies, pink eye (infectious conjunctivitis) is caused by a viral or bacterial infection of the conjunctiva—the thin, clear membrane covering the white part of the eye. This condition can be difficult to tell apart from allergies, but there are important differences. 

Symptoms of pink eye include: 

• Gritty or burning sensation (more scratchy than itchy) 
• Thick, yellow/green discharge in bacterial cases (often crusting eyelids shut in the morning)c 
• Watery discharge in viral cases (can mimic allergy symptoms) 
• Red, bloodshot eyes from inflamed conjunctiva 
• Often starts in one eye first, then spreads to the other 

Key point: Pink eye is highly contagious, especially viral conjunctivitis, which spreads easily in schools, households, and workplaces. A proper eye exam is essential to confirm whether the cause is viral or bacterial, since bacterial pink eye may require antibiotic eye drops while viral cases need supportive care. 

Dry Eye Syndrome (Often Worse in Fall)

Dry eye disease is another frequent—but often overlooked—cause of red, irritated, or watery eyes in fall. Seasonal changes play a big role: cooler air, stronger winds, lower humidity, and indoor heating all contribute to faster tear evaporation. Add fall allergens like dust and pollen, and dry eye symptoms can become even more pronounced. 

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears to keep the surface of the eye lubricated. This can be due to decreased tear production, poor tear quality, or meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)—a condition where the oil-producing glands in your eyelids become blocked. 

Common dry eye symptoms include:

• Persistent gritty, scratchy, or burning sensation 
• Blurry vision, especially after reading or screen use 
• Light sensitivity (photophobia) 
• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes 
• Excessive tearing, as the eyes try to compensate for dryness 

Key point: Unlike allergies or pink eye, dry eye is a chronic condition. Over-the-counter artificial tears may help temporarily, but long-term relief often requires professional dry eye treatments such as prescription drops, punctal plugs, or LipiFlow® thermal pulsation therapy to restore natural tear balance. 

Breakthrough Dry Eye Treatment with LipiFlow®

If you’ve struggled with dry eye symptoms that just won’t go away, you may be experiencing a condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). The meibomian glands along your eyelids produce the oily layer of your tears, which is essential for preventing rapid tear evaporation. When these glands become blocked, your tears evaporate too quickly, leading to chronic dry eye. 

LipiFlow® is a revolutionary, in-office treatment designed specifically to address MGD. The procedure uses a combination of gentle heat and massage to safely and effectively unblock the meibomian glands. By restoring the natural flow of oils, LipiFlow® helps your eyes produce the high-quality tears they need, providing long-lasting relief from the gritty, uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye. The treatment is fast, non-invasive, and can significantly improve your quality of life. 

Find Relief and Clarity at DLV Vision

Don’t let red, itchy eyes ruin your fall. Whether you’re a resident of Westlake Village, Encino, or anywhere in between, DLV Vision is here to help. Our experienced team can accurately diagnose your condition and provide the right treatment to give you the relief you need. 

Patient Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it. Our patients’ stories speak volumes about the life-changing results we provide. 

“Dr.  Zhang and I had an amazing first visit. Immediately I felt at ease, with her knowledgeable and most reassuring demeanor. She was friendly, professional and above all detailed in all aspects of our initial consult and examine. I’m extremely confident in her evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan Thank you Dr Zhang!”