I just realized what the allergen probably is. I'm an artist. I use oil paints in NZ and the US, 24/7 or close to it.  Right in front of my nose and I didn't see it. 

Thanks for your advice. It makes sense that the allergy drops could be relieving a problem not related to allergies so will check into it further.

Sometimes drugs work differently on different people or on different (or similar) symptoms. Just like an antihistamine can help relieve congestion due to a cold, allergy eye drops may have an ingredient that can help your eyes return to normal, whether related to allergies or not.

I wouldn't dismiss allergies though.  Might still be worth going for allergy testing. You may have sensitized to some new environmental allergens in New Zealand over the years you have lived there.

Thanks for the replies. I don't take any allergy meds because since my cats died and I moved away from Arizona, I haven't had any environmental allergies at all.  My eyes weren't even itchy - just terribly burning-dry and sore, especially at night.
It's the first time I've been free of environmental allergies for as long as I can remember, which is why I disregarded my eye-doc's comment that my eye dryness is caused by allergies. The only daily med I take is Omaprozole.

What you both say is logical, which is why I'm mystified. If I have dry-eyes, for whatever reason,  and not allergic conjunctivitis, then why do the dry-eye drops give no relief at all - and yet the allergy drops have solved the problem?

 

What allergy meds are you on? Maybe it's not the allergens but what you're using to dry everything out... They've also got a commercial running around here because chronic dry eye is a common medical condition? I think it was for restasis. https://www.restasis.com/

It could still be environmental.  Dust mites and grasses come to mind. 

If you suspect allergies may be the cause, see an allergist for testing.  Itchy eyes can be a food allergy symptom, particularly for OAS, but not usually long-term eye problems.

I've been fighting dry eyes for years. I've used every lubricating eye drop invented and would wake up at least 3 times a night to put drops in with no relief. My eye doc in New Zealand told me the problem isn't dry eyes but allergies. I changed to hypoallergenic eye makeup and foundation, bought a new pillow, changed detergents, etc. with no relief at all. I don't have any pets. It's strange that there's no change at all in my eyes seasonally and it doesn't matter if I'm in the U.S. or New Zealand.  It seems that if it were environmental, there'd be a difference. A month ago, I started using Alaway twice a day and my dry eye issue has completely disappeared. It's such a huge relief but now I'm mystified as to the cause. I did a little googling and apparently it can be caused by food.

Do any of you have issues with allergic conjunctivitis and have you associated it with food?  I'm kicking myself for not trying the allergy eyedrops earlier.