Allergic conjunctivitis

Description:

Allergic conjunctivitis is the inflammation of a conjunctiva caused by reaction of an organism to any allergen. The conjunctiva contains a large number of cells of immune system (mast cells) which emit chemicals (mediators) in response to various antigens (such as flower pollen or dust mites). These mediators cause inflammatory reaction in an eye which can be short or long. About 20% of people have any degree of allergic conjunctivitis.

Reasons of allergic conjunctivitis:

Seasonal and year-round allergic conjunctivitis is the most widespread types of allergic reactions in an eye. The first of them often is called by pollen of trees or a grass, and, as a result, is usually shown in the spring and in the early summer. Pollen of weeds becomes the reason of development of symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis in the summer and in the early fall. Year-round allergic conjunctivitis lasts for all year and most often is caused by dust mites, hair of animals and a feather of birds.

Spring conjunctivitis is more severe form of allergic conjunctivitis at which the activator (allergen) is unknown. This disease is most widespread among boys, especially aged from 5 up to 20 years which have the accompanying diagnoses, such as eczema, bronchial asthma, or have a seasonal allergy. Spring conjunctivitis usually becomes aggravated every spring, and in the fall and is in a condition of regress in the winter. Many children outgrow this disease by the beginning of the period of puberty.

Huge papillary conjunctivitis is the type of allergic conjunctivitis resulting from constant existence of a foreign body in an eye. It arises preferential at those who a long time, without removing, carry rigid or soft contact lenses, and also - at having speakers on a conjunctiva surface seams after operative measures.

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis:

People with all forms of allergic conjunctivitis test a severe itch and burning of both eyes. Though usually symptoms are shown on both eyes, in certain cases one eye can be affected more than another. The conjunctiva becomes red and sometimes swells, giving to an eyeglobe the swelled up a little look.

At seasonal and year-round conjunctivitis there is a large number liquid, watery separated which can sometimes become viscous. Occasionally sight can worsen. Most of the people having this disease notes also existence of cold.

At spring conjunctivitis of allocation from eyes dense, similar to slime. It, unlike other types of allergic conjunctivitis, often causes damage of a cornea and leads to emergence of erethistic ulcers. The last cause severe pain in an eye at a view of bright light and sometimes lead to permanent decrease in sight.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis:

Doctors distinguish allergic conjunctivitis on its typical external signs and symptoms. This disease treat antiallergic eye drops. Drugs of an artificial tear can also help to stop its symptoms.

In mild cases there can be sufficient a use of the combined drops combining antihistamines, such as антазолин or pheniramine, and the drugs narrowing blood vessels, for example, Naphthyzinum. These medicines can be bought without recipe. If they are inefficient, then purpose of antiallergic drugs can be necessary.

The eye drops containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have antiinflammatory properties and help to facilitate disease symptoms. Corticosteroid eye drops have more powerful antiinflammatory effect, however they should not be used more than several weeks without observation of the doctor as can cause rise in intraocular pressure (glaucoma), a cataract, and also increase risk of development of eye infections.