Also called allergic conjunctivitis or ocular allergy, eye allergy occurs when something you are allergic to irritates the conjunctiva. This is the delicate membrane covering the eye and the inside of the eyelid
What Causes Eye Allergies?
Eye allergies are a reaction to indoor and outdoor allergens that get into your eyes. Examples of these are pollen, dust particles in the air, wind exposure, dust mites and pollution. Eye allergies are not contagious. They cannot be spread to another person.
The eyes are an easy target for allergens and irritants because they are exposed and sensitive. The body responds to these allergens by releasing chemicals, including histamines, which produce the inflammation.
The common symptoms of eye allergies are:
- Itchiness
- Redness
- Burning feeling
- Watery eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Inability to tolerate bright lights
- Increased itching at bedtime
- Inability to open eyes in the morning
If you or anyone you know has these symptoms, especially itchy eyes – he/she may need an ophthalmologist’s care and a consultation is the best way to get quick and sustained relief.
In addition to all active treatments given by your ophthalmologists, supportive measures can be very helpful in controlling the symptoms of allergic eye disease. These include cold compresses (ice cubes wrapped in a clean cloth or a plastic bag) and artificial tear preparations.
Wraparound sunglasses in the hot summer months may also be helpful.
Eye allergic disease can affect people of all ages and needs an ophthalmologist’s care and titrated, customised treatment for each person. A regular follow-up and appropriate treatment can control any eye allergy.
Conjunctivitis
Infectious Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva usually caused by bacteria or viruses
- Bacteria and viruses can infect the conjunctiva.
- Redness and tearing or discharge are common symptoms, and some people have sensitivity to light.
- Good hygiene helps prevent the infection from spreading to the other eye or to someone else’s eye.
A variety of microorganisms may infect the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white of the eye). The most common organisms are viral, particularly those from the group known as adenoviruses. Bacterial infections are less frequent. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious, easily passing from one person to another, or from a person’s infected eye to the uninfected eye.
Good hygiene, particularly the use of hand sanitizers, is needed to minimize the spread of the infection. Separate towels, washcloths, and bedding help minimize the spread to other members of the household. People should stay home from work or school for a few days or, in severe cases, even weeks if needed. This will help prevent the spread of infection.
These are simply guidelines to follow at home. Your doctor is the best judge of the severity and best course of treatment for conjunctivitis
