*I am not a doctor,* I suffer from cat allergies also. Gently wash your eyes, face with clean water & ivory soap, or gently use a baby wipe cloth. Use Refresh eyedrops. If you lay down in your bed after touching, being with the cat, you will have to wash, clean your bedding before you go to sleep again. Its not being "rude," if you want to be near cats, to wear a mask, gloves, eye covering/protective goggles. Cat dander gives me asthma, along with other allergic reactions. I can't be...

@Whippetartist 's suggestions are great! I'd only add to her mask recommendation. It's finally a lot easier to find a really good protective mask (specifically, N95s, P95s, N100s, P100s, and KN95s). These are definitely more effective (compared to cloth masks).