Eye allergy is an ailment that is becoming more and more widespread especially over the last few decades. Currently the statistics indicate that it concerns some 30% of the population. Allergy may make its appearance at any time, but it does so usually in the childhood years. The second apex of allergy incidence is between the 18th and 35th year of age. Some of the known causes of eye allergies are environmental factors, genetic factors, medications and cosmetics and contact lenses. Allergens may be seasonal (pollen) as well as permanent (animal fur, dust, mites). An allergic reaction may appear also as a result of UV radiation – both natural as well as artificial (sun bed).
Eyes, nose nasal mucosa as well as skin
The target tissue is the conjunctiva that covers the eye between the upper and lower eye lids. The conjunctiva is in contact with the outside environment and as such it is exposed to the direct effect of the antigen (in the same way as the nasal mucosa). Another form of allergy is skin allergy also known as dermatitis. The symptoms range from slight redness or inflammation of the skin to miniscule blisters. In severe cases, extensive continuous blistering may appear. With skin redness usually comes also itching and with blistering even pain.
How does an allergic reaction happen?
In principle, an allergic reaction occurs when during the past encounter with that specific allergen, the body forms specific antibodies that result in increasingly more intensive reactions with every other encounter with that particular allergen. The most common eye allergy is the seasonal acute allergic conjunctivitis, that represents 95 % of all cases. Allergic eye infections sometimes come about as a separate eye problem however are more commonly associated with other symptoms – skin rash, the hugely unpopular hay fever but also in the form of serious breathing issues.
Symptoms of eye allergies?
The patient usually seeks out medical attention experiencing redness and pronounce itchiness of the eyes and some degree of eyelid and conjunctiva swelling. In case that a larger amount of the allergen reaches the conjunctiva, the swelling may be so pronounced that it protrudes from between the eyelids, in some cases the swellings shuts the eye completely. Other symptoms may be burning (as if sand got in the eye) or a feeling that a foreign body is present in the eye. The effect may be largely asymmetrical, but the itchiness is usually both-sided. In seasonal allergies, the gravity of the symptoms may differ from day to day depending on the number of allergens in the environment.
How to lessen an allergic reaction?
The ideal therapy is the elimination of the allergen. This may be successful especially during the early stages, but it is not always possible to ensure this. In practice this basically means wearing protective eyewear, more frequent washing of the face and hair.
Treatment and prevention of allergies
Medical therapy – meaning the local administration of medication (nose and eye drops) whereby we achieve a sufficient concentration of the medication in the problem area and thus minimise the overall undesirable effects.
Local application of antihistamines that occupy the concerned tissue receptors whereby the histamine connection and stimulation of these receptors is prevented. The allergic reaction is lessened but the inflammatory part of the allergic reaction remains unaffected.
Stabilisation medication prevents the release of the triggering effects of the allergic reactions. It is, however, necessary to use these for several weeks so as to achieve the desired effect.
Corticosteroids limit the production and release of many chemical mediators of inflammation (e.g. histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes). These have a rapid anti-inflammatory effect, but the application may be accompanied by different unfavourable side-effects. This is why, in ophthalmology, most medications commonly used are a combination of all of the above.
Immuno-therapy basically means the activation of the immune system or a destabilisation using vaccines. This form is suitable for preventive and long-term therapy of already diagnosed allergy.
Final recommendation
Avoid allergens as much as possible and in cases where an allergy appears causing acute issues, seeks medical attention. Do you have any questions concerning symptoms of eye allergies? Write to us, we will be happy to provide advice.