Allergic Conjunctivitis

What is Allergic Conjunctivitis?

Eye allergies are a common condition affecting many people. Some find that their symptoms worsen at certain times of the year, when pollen from trees, grasses and other plants is in the air; for others, irritants such as pet hair or smoke trigger a flare-up. Common symptoms of eye allergy include redness, eye pain, itching, watering and general irritation, sometimes accompanied by sneezing and a general feeling of being unwell. While some people manage their eye allergies effectively with over-the-counter medicines, many need the care of an ophthalmologist to bring the condition properly under control.

Before allergy treatment

The eyes are dry, itchy, red or irritated. These symptoms make daily life uncomfortable, and their severity varies from person to person.

After allergy treatment

These eye problems cannot be completely cured, but treatment will ease your discomfort and protect your eyes.

How do I know if I need to find a specialist for eye allergies?

If your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, you will most likely benefit from the help of an eye allergy specialist, who can determine the best way to relieve them. The most common signs of eye allergy are:

• Itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Redness (which is why it is sometimes called pink eye)
• Swelling
• Flaking of the skin around the eyes

Usually both eyes are affected. You may also have nasal symptoms, such as sneezing and a runny or blocked nose. The condition is caused by exposure to an irritant substance – known as an allergen – such as dust, smoke or pollen. Although the allergen itself is harmless, the body’s immune system perceives it as a threat and responds by releasing antibodies, the chemicals that fight the perceived threat. It is these that cause the unpleasant symptoms of an allergy.

There are many over-the-counter remedies you can buy to help fight eye allergies. If these do not control the condition well enough for you to get on comfortably with normal life, however, an eye allergy specialist can put together a treatment plan that tackles your symptoms effectively.