Diagnostic tests such as conjunctival scrapings to look for eosinophils are helpful in determining the cause of the allergic response. Antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers or dual activity drugs are safe and usually effective. Corticosteroids are reserved for more severe cases of inflammation, and their use should be monitored by an optometrist due to possible side-effects. When an allergen is identified, the person should avoid the allergen as much as possible. Non-pharmacological methods
If the allergen is encountered and the symptoms are mild, a cold compress or artificial tears can be used to provide relief. Mast cell stabilizers
Mast cell stabilizers can help people with allergic conjunctivitis. They tend to have delayed results, but they have fewer side-effects than the other treatments and last much longer than those of antihistamines. Some people are given an antihistamine at the same time so that there is some relief of symptoms before the mast cell stabilizers becomes effective. Doctors commonly prescribe lodoxamide and nedocromil as mast cell stabilizers, which come as eye drops.A mast cell stabilizer is a class of non-steroid controller medicine that reduces the release of inflammation-causing chemicals from mast cells. They block a calcium channel essential for mast cell degranulation, stabilizing the cell, thus preventing the release of histamine. Decongestants may also be prescribed. Another common mast cell stabilizer that is used for treating allergic conjunctivitis is sodium cromoglicate. Antihistamines
Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine are commonly used as treatment.
Signs in phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis include small yellow nodules that develop over the cornea, which ulcerate after a few days.A study by Klein et al. showed that in addition to the physical discomfort allergic conjunctivitis causes, it also alters patients routines, with patients limiting certain activities such as going outdoors, reading, sleeping, and driving. Therefore, treating patients with allergic conjunctivitis may improve their everyday quality of life. Causes
The cause of allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction of the bodys immune system to an allergen. Allergic conjunctivitis is common in people who have other signs of allergic disease such as hay fever, asthma and eczema.Among the most common allergens that cause conjunctivitis are:
Pollen from trees, grass and ragweed
Animal skin and secretions such as saliva
Perfumes
Cosmetics
Skin medicines
Air pollution
Smoke
Dust mites
Balsam of Peru (used in food and drink for flavoring, in perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and in medicine and pharmaceutical items for healing properties)
Eye drops (A reaction to preservatives in eye drops can cause toxic conjunctivitis)
Contact lens solution (some preservatives can irritate the eye over time resulting in conjunctivitis)
Contact lens (conjunctivitis is also caused by repeated mechanical irritation of the conjunctiva by contact lens wearers)Most cases of seasonal conjunctivitis are due to pollen and occur in the hay fever season, grass pollens in early summer and various other pollens and moulds may cause symptoms later in the summer. Pathophysiology
The ocular allergic response is a cascade of events that is coordinated by mast cells.