Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammatory response of the conjunctiva to an allergen.
Conjunctivitis:
What is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation that affects the conjunctiva, which is a transparent membrane that covers the white area of the eye. It is a condition that causes the reddening of the eye. An allergic reaction is the root cause of allergic conjunctivitis. Allergens are the substances that are responsible for triggering allergic reactions. Every single person is hypersensitive to at least one component of their surrounding environment. The most common allergies are dried grass, pollen grains etc. There is no way to compile an exhaustive or universal list of allergies. When an individual who is predisposed to allergic reactions is exposed to allergens, it triggers the production of certain chemicals, such as histamines, from allergy-mediating cells like mast cells in the affected individual’s tissue. It makes the eyes watery, itchy, and red. It also causes the eyes to itch. In contrast to the more common form of pink eye or conjunctivitis caused by infection, allergic conjunctivitis does not spread easily.
Symptoms and Signs of Conjunctivitis:
Itching
Watery eyes
Redness & swelling
Foreign body sensation
Discomfort to light
How can it be diagnosed?
An annual eye exam by a trained professional is sufficient. Allergic conjunctivitis is characterised by a set of symptoms that are highly unique to it, including as papilledema, ropy discharge, and limbal hyperplasia. People who have a predisposition to develop systemic allergies (asthma, eczema, atopy, etc.) might undergo an allergy test to identify the offending allergens. Avoiding these allergens in everyday life would be impractical and time-consuming, therefore testing for them is not recommended.
List of allergens
Pollen grains
Dust
Cosmetics (Kajal, eye liners, Mascara etc)
Air pollution
Smokes
Eye drops (used for longer period like Anti glaucoma drops etc.)
Types of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis & perennial allergic conjunctivitis (Most common types)
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (More common in Children)
Giant papillary conjunctivitis (More common in daily contact lens users)
Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis (Hypersensitivity to Staph. Aureus, TB bacilli)
How can it be treated? Know More About Allergic Conjunctivitis Treatment.
Before moving on to the therapy for allergic conjunctivitis, it is essential to understand that a complete cure for allergy is not possible; nevertheless, the symptoms of allergy can be alleviated with the assistance of several medications. It is important to refrain from scratching your eyes excessively when they are itchy because doing so does more damage to the eyes than the allergy itself does.
The elimination of allergens from the environment is the optimal treatment, but this is easier said than done because it has a significant negative impact on lifestyle and quality of life. The type of allergic conjunctivitis, its severity, the treatment that is administered, and the patient’s level of compliance with the treatment all have a role in determining how long the condition will remain.
Eye drops containing medications such as mast cell stabilisers (Olopatadine, Sodium Cromoglycate), antihistamines (Ketotifen, Bepotastine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ketorolac), steroids (loteprednol, FML, Difluprednate, Prednisolone, etc.), and immune modulators (Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus eye ointment) are effective
Because of the potential for adverse effects, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist before beginning treatment with any eye drops.
In addition to wearing sunglasses when going outside and applying cold compresses, an effective home treatment for eye itching caused by allergies is to wear sunglasses.