Conjunctivitis is a symptomatic
disease of the eyes. In the case of allergic conjunctivitis,
symptoms are induced by contact with allergens present in the
atmosphere (house dust mites, animal fur, feathers, pollen…), on
the eyelids (cosmetics: cream, eye make-up, mascara…) or in the
substances applied on the eyes (ex. drops)Symptoms might be pruritus, redness, eye irritation, burning sensation, sensation of sand in the eye. In the morning, on getting up, there are eyes secretions which extremely rare can become purulent in case of supra infection. In some case, the vision might be blurred and painful in the presence of light (photophobia)
Four types of allergic conjunctivitis do exist:
- Intermittent or Persistent allergic conjunctivitis:
- The main symptoms are pruritus, red and watery eyes as well as swollen and sometimes red eyelids
- The origin is generally coming from sensitivity to pollen, house dust mites and professional allergens
- Allergic keratoconjunctivitis:
- The main symptoms are an intense pruritus with swollen eyelids, photophobia and superficial punctuate erosions of the conjunctiva
- the origin is associated with atopic dermatitis, sensitivity to foods, house dust mites, pollens, animal danders etc.
- Spring or vernal keratoconjunctivitis:
- The symptoms are extreme pruritus with thick mucous discharge and bothersome grain like swellings on the conjunctiva lining the inner face of the lid.
- It occurs from the beginning of Spring to Autumn, in young subjects: 80 % of the patients are under 14 years of age. It most often disappears at puberty. 75 % of the patients are males. The attacks are set off by exposure to the sun which accounts for the improvement in winter unless the child goes skiing. It is more common in hot and dry climates. In 50 % of the cases, sensitisation to airborne allergens is found.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis:
- The symptoms are pruritus with giant grain-like swellings on the conjunctiva, generally accompanied by a blurred vision and a reduced tolerance to contact lenses.
- The origin is a trauma induced by either the edge of a contact lens, an eye prosthesis or related sutures
Diagnosis:
- Based on questioning (symptoms, circumstances and/or season the
attack occurred…) and eye investigation by an allergy specialist
and/or an ophtalmologist:
- Certain conjunctivitis are not of allergic origins (infection, dry eye, etc…)
- Certain symptoms (pain, photophobia, visual disturbance) may be due to ophthalmological diseases other than conjunctivitis