Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when an allergen (a substance that causes the immune system to overreact) comes in contact with a person’s eye. When the allergen contacts the eyes, they become inflamed and sore.
These symptoms occur when the immune system causes the body to release histamine and other active substances from mast cells. The reaction causes dilation or expansion of the blood vessels, which irritates the nerve endings, resulting in increased tears secretion.
Allergic conjunctivitis differs from infective conjunctivitis, as they result from different causes.
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Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis
The following can help relieve allergic conjunctivitis.
- Avoid the allergen
Reducing soft furnishing, staying indoors when the pollen count is high and keeping your house clean can help prevent allergic conjunctivitis
- Artificial tears
Artificial tears are drops that dilute the allergen and help in removing it.
- Avoid contact lenses
Ensure you avoid using contact lenses until the symptoms disappear. After using an eye medication, wait for at least 24 hours before wearing contacts.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes
Rubbing your eyes can cause the inflammation to become worse. This may be difficult because itchy eyes are tempting to rub.
- Cold compress
Placing a ball of cotton wool dipped in cold water on your eyes can help soothe the symptoms.
Medications for conjunctivitis
Your doctor may prescribe medications for treating allergic conjunctivitis, including mast stabilisers, antihistamines and in some cases, corticosteroids, after an allergy testing in London.
- Antihistamines
Antihistamines offer fast relief from allergic conjunctivitis symptoms. They are available as eye drops or oral doses, and antihistamine medications block the effect of histamines on the system. The body synthesises histamines when the immune system identifies a foreign substance in the body.
Oral histamines to treat allergic conjunctivitis include fexofenadine, loratadine and cetirizine to be taken once daily. The eye drops include Zaditor and Alaway. The oral medication helps treat a runny nose and the other symptoms, but eye drops can relieve eye symptoms.
The commonly prescribed antihistamine eye drops include ketotifen, emedastine, and azelastine, administered 2 – 3 times daily. Some antihistamine medications can cause drowsiness, so it is advisable to avoid operating heavy machinery or driving after taking the medication.
- Mast cell stabilisers
Mast cell stabilisers usually take a longer time to take effect than antihistamines. However, when the effect sets in, it lasts longer. The common mast stabilisers include nedocromil and lodoxamide, which are available as eye drops.
Some people take mast cell stabilisers and antihistamines. The antihistamines offer relief from symptoms before the mast cell stabilisers take effect.
- Corticosteroids
Doctors rarely prescribe this medication,and they do so when the symptoms are severe. Corticoid is a steroid hormone synthesised by the adrenal cortex. The synthetic variants can reduce swelling and immune response in the body. They are effective but need to be taken with caution and for a short period due to their side effects.
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Symptoms
Issues with both eyes are common for people who experience allergic conjunctivitis. The symptoms may occur quickly after the allergens contact the eyes. In some cases, the symptoms may occur after 2 – 4 days.
Common allergic conjunctivitis symptoms include:
- Pink or red eyes
The eyes get irritated because the small vessels or capillaries widen in the conjunctiva.
- Pain
Pain may occur in one of the two eyes. Ensure you see a doctor if you feel pain in your eyes, experience redness, sensitivity to light or impaired vision.
- Itchiness
As your eyes become irritated, they may become itchy. The itchiness may become worse when you rub your eyes.
- Swollen eyelids
The eyelids may become swollen when the conjunctiva is inflamed or when you rub your eyes.
- Soreness
The eye inflammation may result in the eyes feeling tender and sore. In some cases, it feels like a burning sensation.
People who experience seasonal allergic conjunctivitis will have the symptoms at certain times, usually in fall and early spring to summer. People experiencing perennial allergic conjunctivitis can have symptoms at any time in the year. The symptoms may be worse at certain times in the day.
You may have contact conjunctivitis if your eyelids are cracked, dry or red. Giant papillary conjunctivitis and contact conjunctivitis are not seasonal, and the symptoms may occur at any time in the year.
Causes
Allergic reactions occur when the immune systems overreact to foreign substances. Many people do not react to pollen, dust and other allergens, but some people are susceptible to these allergens.
These allergens may cause allergic conjunctivitis:
- Dust mites
- Eye drops
- Animal fur
- Make-up
- Pollen
Types
The different types of allergic conjunctivitis include:
- Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
Pollens are the most common allergen that causes conjunctivitis in countries with cold winters. If the conjunctivitis is due to pollen, other symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, itchy, runny or blocked nose may also occur.
This conjunctivitis is also called hay fever. It usually occurs in the summer and spring months. During this period, flowers, trees and grasses produce pollen. Some people may also experience symptoms in early fall.
- Contact conjunctivitis
This conjunctivitis is also called dermato conjunctivitis. The symptoms are side to contact with eye drops, cosmetics and other chemicals that irritate people susceptible to the conjunctiva. The symptoms may develop 2 – 4 days after the substance gets into the eyes.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)
This conjunctivitis usually results from wearing contacts. Contact lenses cause discomfort in some people, which may become progressive and more discomforting, making the eyes red. Using hard contact lenses following eye surgery, poor hygiene while handling solutions and cases may also cause GPC.
- Perennial conjunctivitis
Perennial conjunctivitis occurs all year round. It usually results from an allergy to dust mites. Dust mites are small insect-like creatures that live in carpets, upholstery furniture and beddings. These creatures eat skin cells, and they thrive in a humid and warm environment.
Allergy to dust mite is an immune system response to certain proteins found in dust mite. The reaction results in several problems such as sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, contraction of the airways and conjunctivitis.
Other causes of perennial conjunctivitis include the small scales from animal hair or skin or birth feathers.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose allergic conjunctivitis by carrying out an examination and inquiring about the symptoms and signs you experience, such as a runny nose and sneezing. The doctor may have to rule out conditions that cause similar symptoms.
Ensure you visit your doctor if you experience the following symptoms as they may be a sign of a severe condition.
- Very red eyes
- Photophobia or sensitivity to light
- Painful eyes
- Vision problems
Besides allergic conjunctivitis, yours may be red due to these conditions.
- Infected conjunctivitis
This condition results from bacterial or viral infection. It may be due to herpes infection, a sexually transmitted infection.
- Acute glaucoma
When pressure builds in the eyes, the symptoms may appear rapidly. When left untreated, acute glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss.
- Keratitis
The cornea can become inflamed, and in some cases, ulcerated. This may progress to scarring of the cornea and cause permanent vision loss.
- Iritis
Iritis is an inflammation of the iris. When left untreated, the iris may attach to the lens, which prevents vital fluid from draining out of the pupil, resulting in irreversible damage to the eye.
During the diagnosis, the doctor will check if other substances or objects like an eyelash is the cause of your eye irritation. If the symptoms are progressive or severe, the doctor may recommend visiting an ophthalmologist.
If you develop papillary conjunctivitis after recent eye surgery, the doctor will refer you to an ophthalmologist who carefully examines the eye to offer an effective treatment.
Complications
Complications resulting from seasonal or perennial allergic complications are rare. This allergic reaction can affect your quality of life, but the impact on health is short-term.
Complications may occur from giant papillary conjunctivitis and dermato conjunctivitis, such as an inflamed cornea, a condition called keratitis. Keratitis increases the risk of scarring and may lead to a permanent loss of vision.
Common symptoms of keratitis include:
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- Intense eye pain
- Sensitivity to light
- A feeling of having an object in your eyes
Ensure you see a doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Prevention
The best prevention method for allergic rhinitis is identifying the cause of the allergy and avoiding it. Common allergens include pollen and pet fur.
If your allergy results from pets, consider the following.
- Keeping the pets out of your bedroom
- Washing your beddings often
- Brushing the pet regularly and washing it at least every two weeks
If you intend to visit a house with pets, take an antihistamine medication an hour before getting to the house to reduce your symptoms.
If pollens cause your allergy, consider the following.
- Stay inside, keep your windows and doors closed when the amount of pollen is high
- Get someone to cut your lawn
- Change your clothes and bath after being outdoor
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes
- Avoid places with lots of trees, flowers or grasses.
The pollen count is at its peak in the early evenings and mid-mornings.
If your allergy is due to dust mites, consider the following.
- Vacuum your house often and use a damp cloth for dusting
- Use anti-allergic beddings and matrasses
- Avoid soft furnishings like drapes and carpets
- Opt for a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
You can get an allergy tereatment to identify the cause of your allergic conjunctivitis, so you can avoid them. Schedule an appointment at Medical Express Clinic to determine if you have allergic conjunctivitis.
