Exams and Tests

Frequently, your ophthalmologist is able to diagnose ocular allergies from your complaints alone. As part of the eye examination, your eyes are examined to help rule out other problems.

• The front of your eyes are examined using a special microscope, called a slit lamp. Using the slit lamp, your ophthalmologist checks your eyes for dilated blood vessels, conjunctival swelling, and eyelid swelling, all of which are indicative of an allergic reaction.
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• Rarely, scraping of the conjunctiva is performed to check for eosinophils. Eosinophils are certain cells that are commonly associated with allergies; however, they are only found in the most severe cases.