What is Conjunctivitis?

Inflammation of the conjunctiva (Transparent membrane covering white part of the eye) is called Conjunctivitis. It is a condition where the eye turns red. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused due to allergy. The agents which cause allergies are known as allergens. Every individual is allergic to one or other substance in the environment. The most common allergens are dried grass, pollen grains etc. List of allergens are endless and individual specific. When an individual who is prone for allergy; get exposed to allergens, it causes release of some chemicals in tissue e.g. Histamines by allergy mediating cells like Mast cells. It causes itching, redness, and watering from eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious unlike the traditional red eye or infective conjunctivitis.

Symptoms and Signs of Conjunctivitis

Below we have mentioned some of the many signs of allergic conjunctivitis:

• Itching
• Watery eyes
• Redness & swelling
• Foreign body sensation
• Discomfort to light

How can it be diagnosed?

Routine examination by an eye doctor is sufficient. Some signs are very specific for allergic conjunctivitis like papillae, ropy discharge, limbal hyperplasia. To find out specific allergens, Allergy test can be done in individuals who are prone for generalized systemic allergy like asthma, eczema, Atopy etc. Otherwise, such tests are not recommended as avoidance to these allergens is practically cumbersome in routine life.

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 getting to allergic conjunctivitis treatment, it is imperative to understand that complete cure of allergy is not feasible, but symptoms of allergy can be suppressed with the help of medicines. Rubbing of eyes due to itching causes more trouble to eyes than allergy itself, so intense rubbing of eyes should be avoided.

Avoidance of allergens is the IDEAL treatment but it’s easier to say than done as it will severely hamper lifestyle and quality of life. How long the allergic conjunctivitis lasts depend on the type, severity and the treatment taken along with the compliance for the treatment.

Medicines in the form of eye drops like mast cell stabilizers (Olopatadine, Sodium Cromoglycate), antihistamines (Ketotifen, Bepotastine), NSAID ( ketorolac), Steroids (loteprednol, FML, Difluprednate, Prednisolone etc), immune modulators (Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus eye ointment), are useful in treating allergic conjunctivitis.

Any eye drops should not be started without an ophthalmologist's opinion to avoid its side effects.

Using sunglasses while going out, cold compression can alleviate allergic symptoms and serve as a useful home remedy for eye itching.