Why Are My Eyes Itching and Watering This Fall? Mid-South Allergies vs. Dry Eye in Memphis, TN

Fall in Memphis brings cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and seasonal allergens that can leave your eyes feeling irritated. If you notice itching, watering, redness, or burning, you may assume fall allergies are responsible. However, dry eye can cause similar symptoms, making it difficult to know what is affecting your comfort.

At Memphis Primary Eye Care, we help patients identify the causes of eye irritation and find appropriate treatment options. Understanding the differences between seasonal eye allergies and dry eye can help you determine when to schedule an eye exam.

Why Fall Allergies Affect Your Eyes in Memphis

Fall allergies are common throughout the Mid-South, especially when ragweed pollen and outdoor mold spores are present. When allergens come into contact with your eyes, your immune system may release histamine, causing inflammation and irritation.

Common symptoms of seasonal eye allergies include:

• Itching: Often the most noticeable symptom of allergic eye irritation.

• Watery Eyes: Excessive tearing occurs as your eyes react to allergens.

• Redness: Blood vessels become more visible due to inflammation.

• Puffy Eyelids: Swelling may develop around the eyes.

• Burning or Irritation: Eyes may feel uncomfortable after outdoor exposure.

Allergy symptoms often affect both eyes and may occur alongside sneezing, nasal congestion, or a runny nose.

Could Your Watery Eyes Actually Be Dry Eye?

Although watering sounds like the opposite of dryness, excessive tearing can be a symptom of dry eye disease.

Dry eye develops when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. In response to irritation, your eyes may produce excess reflex tears that do not provide lasting lubrication.

During fall in Memphis, cooler air, wind, and indoor heating can contribute to tear film instability and increased discomfort.

Dry eye symptoms may include burning, grittiness, fluctuating vision, redness, and watery eyes. Unlike seasonal allergies, dry eye discomfort may become more noticeable during prolonged screen use, reading, or time spent in heated indoor environments.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between Allergies and Dry Eye?

The most important distinction is often the type of discomfort you experience.

Intense itching is more commonly associated with eye allergies, while burning, dryness, or a gritty sensation may suggest dry eye. However, both conditions can cause redness and excessive tearing.

Some Memphis patients experience both conditions simultaneously. Allergic inflammation can affect the ocular surface, while an unstable tear film may make irritation more noticeable.

Because symptoms overlap, a comprehensive eye examination can help identify the underlying cause rather than relying on symptoms alone.

Finding Relief From Fall Eye Irritation

Treatment depends on whether your symptoms are caused by allergies, dry eye, or a combination of both.

For seasonal allergies, we may recommend reducing allergen exposure, using cool compresses, or choosing appropriate allergy eye drops.

For dry eye, treatment may involve lubricating eye drops, changes to your daily environment, or a personalized dry eye management plan.

Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can worsen irritation. Persistent symptoms should be evaluated, while significant eye pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes require prompt attention.

If itchy, watery eyes are affecting your comfort this fall, our team can help determine what's causing the irritation. Contact Memphis Primary Eye Care in Memphis, TN, at (901) 479-0400 to schedule an eye exam and explore personalized relief options.