Dorothy FarrarAllergic conjunctivitis
We speak of allergic conjunctivitis when the eye condition is triggered by allergens . If the eyelids are also affected, it is an allergic blepharoconjunctivitis . In most cases, allergic conjunctivitis occurs after contact with an allergen due to IgE-mediated inflammation. The condition becomes noticeable through itchy, reddened and watery eyes.
What is allergic conjunctivitis?
Physicians also refer to allergic conjunctivitis as allergic conjunctivitis or allergic conjunctivitis. There is also a possibility of eyelid discomfort. In such cases, doctors speak of blepharoconjunctivitis.
Only rarely does allergic conjunctivitis present itself. Many patients also suffer from inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which is called allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Allergic conjunctivitis can be divided into five different forms. These are perennial (perennial) allergic conjunctivitis (PAC), seasonal conjunctivitis (SAC), spring conjunctivitis, also known as vernal keratoconjunctivitis, giant papillae conjunctivitis, and atopic keratoconjunctivitis.
causes
The conjunctiva (conjunctiva) is a fine mucous membrane on the eyeball at the front part of the orbit. It covers the eyeball up to the cornea. Small glandular cells keep the conjunctiva moist, which allows the eye to slide back and forth when it moves. In addition, there are countless cells of the immune system that ensure protection against invaders. There are also many small blood vessels in the conjunctiva. However, this also reveals a characteristic symptom of conjunctivitis, namely red eyes. The irritation increases the blood flow process within the otherwise colorless conjunctiva.
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an oversensitive reaction of the immune system to allergenic substances that get into the human conjunctiva. In principle, allergic conjunctivitis can be caused by any substance.
In most cases, however, pollen, dust mites, animal dander or mold spores are responsible for them. An allergy to certain medications is also possible. These include, for example, antibiotics in eye drops. Sometimes the symptoms only show up at a later point in time. Often there is eyelid eczema on the eyelids. Various environmental substances are also suspected to be the cause of allergic conjunctivitis.
Spring conjunctivitis usually presents itself in spring and mostly affects boys. However, it was not clear what caused it.
When to the doctor?
Watering and itching eyes should be checked by a doctor if the symptoms appear without any apparent reason. If the problems persist for several days, a doctor’s visit is necessary, since conjunctivitis is a contagious disease. Red discoloration of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids should be evaluated by a doctor. If the symptoms increase, a doctor must always be consulted.
If the eye can no longer be closed as usual or if vision is impaired, a doctor should be consulted. In addition, due to the impairments, there is an increased risk of accidents, so that the person concerned should exercise special care. If there are additional symptoms, it is advisable to undergo a medical examination. They include headaches, problems with perception, a reduced ability to react and a tilted position of the head.
A doctor’s visit is also necessary if there is a feeling of pressure in the eye, changes in the skin structure or a general feeling of pain in the face. If you feel unwell, dizzy , weak or emotionally stressed by the visual changes of allergic conjunctivitis, you should see a doctor. In very rare cases, there is a disturbance in the blood circulation and tachycardia, both of which must be clarified by a doctor.
↳ Further information: Home remedies for conjunctivitis
symptoms and course
Allergic conjunctivitis has several typical symptoms. These include, above all, reddened eyes that water and itch. The red eye is caused by increased blood flow to the fine conjunctival vessels. Since the glands are also increasingly active, this results in tears in the eyes. In addition, the conjunctiva swells, with the eyelid increasing in size to such an extent that the affected eye can no longer be closed. Furthermore, the conjunctiva makes a swollen and glassy impression.
Swelling into a cobblestone pattern is typical of allergic conjunctivitis. It can be recognized particularly well when the upper eyelid is folded down. Due to the swelling, the patient feels like there is a foreign body in the eye .
Other possible symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include sensitivity to light and glare or spasmodic eyelid closure. Allergic conjunctivitis usually takes a positive course. Antiallergic eye drops are available to counteract the symptoms. Furthermore, a specific immunotherapy can be carried out, with which the allergy of the eye can be cured.
Diagnose
If allergic conjunctivitis occurs, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist. Through it, the trigger of the disease and thus also a suitable therapy can be carried out. The doctor can usually quickly diagnose conjunctivitis based on the anamnesis (medical history) and the typical symptoms.
Identifying the allergy-triggering substance is somewhat more difficult. It can be helpful to see an allergist who specializes in treating allergies. As a rule, a special skin test, also known as a prick test , is carried out in which the doctor applies typical allergens such as pollen, insect venom or animal hair to the skin. If a wheal forms on the skin after about 20 minutes, the right allergy trigger has been found.
complications
A complication in people with allergic conjunctivitis is giant papillae conjunctivitis. This complication is also known as giant papilla conjunctivitis. Doctors call this a special form of chronic allergic conjunctivitis. This complication is particularly common in contact lens wearers. About six percent of all contact lens wearers are affected by the consequences of allergic conjunctivitis. With giant papillae conjunctivitis, roundish swellings form under the upper eyelid. Friction can occur due to the natural opening and closing movements of the eyelids. As a result, the cornea of the eyes can be damaged. Scars or ulcers form.
Allergic conjunctivitis is not something to be taken lightly in contact lens wearers. The cause is the deposits that can form on the surface of contact lenses. These lead to the complications described. Giant papillae conjunctivitis is a consequence of the eye’s allergic reactions to the deposits. This can also lead to inflammation with long-term consequences. If the allergic conjunctivitis in contact lens wearers remains untreated, such complications cannot be ruled out. The length of time the lenses are worn increases the risk of such complications. Contact lens wearers who swap out their lenses for new contact lenses more often are less likely to experience complications. Rigid contact lenses are less risky than soft ones. People are also at risk
treatment and therapy
If the diagnosis has clearly resulted in allergic conjunctivitis, it is advisable to avoid the triggers responsible. However, this cannot always be set up. Drug therapy can then be helpful. Eye drops in particular have an immediate and rapid effect. Commonly used drugs include vascular-active eye drops. They cause the dilated blood vessels to contract. However, they must not be administered for longer than five days.Also effective are eye drops containing cromolyn acid. They counteract the release of inflammation-transmitting substances such as histamine from the mast cells, which means that the typical allergic symptoms do not occur. In order to be able to achieve its positive effects, however, cromolyn must be administered at regular intervals. However, it is not suitable for acute therapy.
Antihistamines can be administered not only as eye drops, but also in the form of oral drops, tablets, capsules and juice. However, the eye drops can develop their effect more quickly on the eye. In severe cases, specific immunotherapy is also useful. In this hyposensitization, the doctor injects the patient with the allergen until the immune system has become accustomed to it.
prevention
There is no way to prevent allergic conjunctivitis. In order to prevent symptoms, the triggering allergen should be consistently avoided.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.