Hay fever eyes
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the eye equivalent of hay fever
and affects up to 25 per cent of the general population. The eyes become
itchy, watery and red in the summer pollen season, usually from
exposure to grass and tree pollen.
Vernal conjunctivitis is a more
severe form of this disease seen in children. The eyes are sticky with a
stringy discharge, and it's painful, especially when opening the eyes
on waking.
The inner membranes of the eyelid swell and the
conjunctiva develops a cobblestone appearance. Corneal damage may occur
if the condition is left untreated.
Perennial allergic
conjunctivitis tends to occur all year round, with house dust mite and
cat allergies. The symptoms are usually milder than those in seasonal
allergic conjunctivitis.
Eczema eyes
Although rare, atopic keratoconjunctivitis is the most severe
manifestation of allergic eye disease. It occurs predominantly in adult
males and is the eye equivalent of severe eczema.
This persistent
condition results in constant itching, dry eyes and blurred vision.
It's associated with corneal swelling and scarring. Eyelid eczema and
infection are common, and lens cataracts may develop over time.
Contact lens allergy
Contact lens wearers may develop giant papillary conjunctivitis,
triggered by constant local irritation by the contact lenses on the
conjunctival surfaces. The lining of the upper eyelid is usually most
affected. Disposable contact lenses may help settle symptoms, but
occasionally wearing contact lens has to be suspended.
Never use
steroid eye drops unless under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Although they're effective for treating eye allergies, they can lead to
unwanted side-effects such as glaucoma and cataract formation.
They may also encourage infections of the eye, with resultant corneal scarring.
Eye allergy treatments
Regular use of anti-allergy eye drops such as sodium chromoglycate,
nedocromil, olopatidine and lodoxamide can help to treat mild seasonal
disease.
Non-sedating oral antihistamines - cetirizine,
loratadine, mizolastine and fexofenadine - can also help, especially
when there's an associated nasal allergy.
Corticosteroid eye drops occasionally have to be used for more severe eye allergies, but this should be for short periods only.
1 comments :
Eye allergies may also be called “allergic conjunctivitis” by your eye care professional. This is a reaction to indoor and outdoor allergens (such as pollen, mold, dust mites or pet dander) that get into your eyes and cause inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and helps keep your eyelid and eyeball moist. Eye allergies are not contagious.
eye doctors Medford, MA
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