Eye Allergies

What is allergic conjunctivitis?

Allergic conjunctivitis is the medical term for an eye allergy. The word conjunctivitis refers to the swelling and redness of the thin clear layer of mucous membrane (the conjunctiva) that lines the inside of your eyelids and the white part of your eye.

Occurs most commonly in the spring and the fall, when pollen counts are highest.

How do eye allergies occur?

Think of an eye allergy as miniature fireworks going off in your eyes. Like fireworks, special cells in your eyes called mast cells can be triggered when they come in contact with an allergen. (An allergen is any substance to which your body is sensitive, such as pollen pet hair, ragweed, etc,) When allergens trigger the mast cell, the cast cell "explodes", releasing irritants (such as histamine) that cause the itching, redness and burning associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

The best defense is avoidance of allergens to which you are sensitive.

Symptoms include:

· Moderate to severe itching of the eye

· Redness of the eye

· Burning of the eye

· Tearing

· Swelling or redness of the inner eyelids

· Blurred vision

· Scratchy feeling in the eye

· Sensation that something is in your eye

· Sensitivity to light.

· Runny nose and sneezing frequently present

Some of these symptoms may be caused by a more serious eye condition. That is why it is important to see your doctor whenever you have an eye problem.