HELP ITCHY EYES

Our 16 yr old red tabby Alex has had severely itchy eyes for a few years. Trying to manage with food and Reactine but nothing helps. He wears a cone 24/7 and his eyes water and are incredibly itchy. Vet wants him on prédisone which helps for the day but I don't want him on steroids. They could test for allergies but I heard they aren't that accurate . Vet said to try Atopica but has to check for something in his blood to make sure he can take it . Wonder if that's true. Another vet said any cat can take atopica without blood check um. Also first vet said inflammation can cause cancer- ever hear of that one? I changed food to Fromme game bird dry yesterday (perhaps he has chicken and grain allergy). Also trying Dr Maggie skin and coat - natural supplement for skin and coat. I have vet appt Friday and would deeply appreciate your valuable opinions. We are in Ontario Canada Thank you!!!!

Here is a very long thread on Atopica, and it also discusses the use of steroids, so it might be useful to you:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/239900/anyone-using-atopica.

I do know that some cats are indeed allergic to chicken, and grains.  If it IS food allergies, it can take several weeks to see improvements. 

I am sorry you have not any replies for awhile. My Wellington has had runny eyes all his life, though they do not seem to bother him too much. He has herpes virus and asthma, and I found a low dose of prednisone was the only thing that controlled it. My vet and I discussed it and we agreed that at first we would see if it worked, then adjust to the lowest possible dosage. Eventually we got to a stage where I was able to stop the daily 1mg pill and just give it to him for three days if he had an attack. That has worked for 11 years. But there are always risks, and he now has diabetes, which may or may not be related. It is under control, he is still enjoying a normal life, and I cannot regret my decision. He would have died from asthma years ago if we had not gone that route. Everyone has to make their own decisions of quality versus quantity. I do hope you find an answer that works for you.