Allergic to the eye

Allergic to the eyes - an inflammatory process of the eyes, allergic conjunctivitis or a phenomenon that is often called red eye syndrome. Anyone who at least once experienced an allergy experienced unpleasant sensations in the eyes - itching, tearing, swelling of the eyelids and reddening of the sclera. The reaction to an allergen occurs after mast cells - histamine basophils, prostaglandins - release specific mediators.

Like the skin, the eyes, as a rule, are the first to react to the invasion of the allergic component. Once the inflammatory factor enters the human body, and the easiest way is to do it from the outside, the skin and mucous membranes, especially the outer ones, begin to signal a danger. Allergy in the eyes can be a consequence of an internal immune failure caused by an allergen, and eye manifestations of an allergy are closely related to a hereditary factor. Atopic dermatitis, rhinitis and bronchial asthma are often accompanied by all the symptoms of eye allergy.

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Forms

• Conjunctivitis caused by hay fever, hay fever. This manifestation is associated with the season of flowering plants, trees and, as a rule, disappears with the onset of cold weather; 
• Keratoconjunctivitis, also associated with the season - in the spring. Most often affects children before adolescence, when the hormonal background begins to change and the body cope with allergies independently. Nevertheless, allergic spring catarrh can become chronic if it is not treated with antihistamine and other antiallergic drugs; 
• Allergic conjunctivitis in chronic form. Symptoms are not expressed clearly, but recur regularly depending on the general condition of the body; 
• Allergic conjunctivitis of contact lenses. A relatively new form of eye allergy, associated with eye contact lens correction; 
• Large papillary allergic conjunctivitis. The disease causes a foreign body, which irritates the tarsal part of the upper eyelid. It can be a piece of dust, a grain of sand, eye prostheses, lenses and so on. Often these kinds of allergies affect people whose work is associated with the release of small particles into the environment, substances; 
• Allergic conjunctivitis of infectious etiology. It develops as a consequence of a basic disease, such as bronchial asthma, inflammatory pathologies of the respiratory system, bacterial infections of the nasopharynx and oral cavity; 
• Allergic conjunctivitis caused by drug allergy. Almost any drug can provoke eye allergy in a person suffering from an allergic disease. The reaction occurs within an hour after taking medication.

Allergy in the eyes is divided into two categories according to the specific pathogenesis - acute and chronic: 

• The acute form manifests itself as an accelerated reaction, usually in the first hour after contact with the allergen; 
• Chronic allergy in the eyes is manifested by the type of delayed reaction - within a day or more, often its symptoms fade and again recur.

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Diagnostics of the allergies to the eyes

• Edema of the upper and lower eyelids, as a rule, are extensive and do not yield to the standard methods of neutralizing them (diuretics, cold lotions and so on). Edema can develop intensively, up to the syndrome of "swollen" cornea; 
• Extensive or partial redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes, both eyes are often affected, but sometimes the process starts with one eye; 
• Itching in the eyelid area, intensifying upon contact; 
• Burning sensation of "sand" in the eyes; 
• Photophobia, causing excessive tearing; 
• Optoz - uncontrolled movements of the upper eyelid; 
• In some cases with a running acute process - purulent discharge from the eyes.

Allergy on the eyes is diagnosed in this way: 

• Collection of anamnestic information to exclude or confirm the heredity factor, identify underlying or concomitant diseases; 
• Common tests - blood, urine. Cytology and bakposev, immunogram and biochemical study of blood serum; 
• Skin tests to determine the allergen. Provocative testing - conjunctiva, nasopharyngeal mucosa, sublingual test. 
• In the presence of a basic disease - gastrointestinal and others, additional types of diagnostic tests are prescribed (ultrasound, gastroscopy, CT and others).

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Treatment of the allergies to the eyes

Allergy on the eyes is treated, starting with the standard action in any antiallergic therapy - excluding contact with a provoking factor, an allergen. If a person wears contact lenses that are responsible for an allergic reaction, they are replaced with glasses for a while, and hypoallergenic lenses are selected after therapeutic measures and the onset of remission. In cases when an allergy caused by a foreign body - a mote, a particle of dust, a villous and so on, the object is extracted and in the future it is recommended to avoid those territories where there is a risk of contact with these factors. Also, a local ophthalmic treatment is prescribed - eye drops that remove redness and itching. It can be alomide, cromosyl and so on. Can be applied and drops. Containing hormones, corticosteroids. These are preparations of dexamethasone, hydrocortisone. Drops, which contain antibiotics are used in cases of cross-infection of eyes with bacteria. It should be remembered that eye antiallergic drops only neutralize the symptom, but are not the basis of therapy. Self-medication for allergic eye diseases is unacceptable, since all kinds of drops are very specific, they should be selected and prescribed by a doctor. In addition to drops, it is advisable to take antihistamines, they are also prescribed by the doctor, depending on the severity of allergic reactions.

Allergy on the eyes can give complications to the cornea - keratitis, erosion, hyperkeratosis. That is why it is worth to contact an allergist, therapist or ophthalmologist at the very first signs of an allergic reaction.