Ocular allergies
Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by an allergen, which triggers the typically irritative symptoms, causing the eye discomfort.
Allergic conjunctivitis is likely the most common of type-1 hypersensitivity reactions (IgE-mediated allergies), representing around 20% of all allergies.
There are 5 types of allergic conjunctivitis:
seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) is caused by pollen, particularly during periods of intense flowering (spring), although it can also occur in autumn.
perennial allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by house dust and pet dandruff.
atopic conjunctivitis is commonly provoked by drugs or preservatives used in eyedrops and contact lens solutions.
giant papillary conjunctivitis is often the consequence of improper contact lens use.
vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a relatively rare form, affecting particulary children.
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis caused by pollen (SAC) is doubtless the most common type. Clinically, it presents with eye redness, swelling of the eyelid and conjunctiva (chemosis), itching, burning, tearing, as well as photophobia and foreign body sensation in the eye. In this type of conjunctivitis, symptoms affect both the eyes and eyelids. The affected patients do have usually experienced similar symptoms in the previous years, possibly in the same season, and often show a familial history of the disorder.
The treatment of these ocular allergic disorders mainly aims at reducing the histamine release-triggered symptoms by using membrane-stabilising eyedrops, anti-histamines and cortisone medication for short periods of time.
The use of artificial tears with a diluting effect can be usefull, as they remove the allergens from the lacrimal film, thereby reducing the immune system’s allergic response.
