Allergic conjunctivitis

[Vania]

Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by an allergic reaction.

Allergic reactions caused by, for example, airborne allergens, may inflame the conjunctiva.
Redness, itching, swelling, tearing, and stringy discharge are common.
Various eye drops may help decrease symptoms and inflammation.

The conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white of the eye) contains a large number of cells from the immune system (called mast cells) that release chemical substances (called mediators) in response to a variety of stimuli (such as pollens, mold spores, or dust mites). These mediators cause inflammation in the eyes, which may be brief or long-lasting. About 20% of people have some degree of allergic conjunctivitis. (See also Overview of Conjunctival and Scleral Disorders.)
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (hay fever conjunctivitis) and year-round or perennial allergic conjunctivitis (atopic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis) are the most common types of allergic reaction in the eyes. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is often caused by mold spores or tree, weed, or grass pollens, leading to its typical appearance in the spring and early summer. Weed pollens are responsible for symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis in the summer and early fall. Perennial allergic conjunctivitis occurs year-round and is most often caused by dust mites or animal dander.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a more serious form of allergic conjunctivitis in which the stimulant (allergen) is not known. The condition is most common among boys, particularly those aged 5 to 20 years who also have eczema, asthma, or seasonal allergies. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis typically reappears each spring and subsides in the fall and winter. Many children outgrow the condition by early adulthood.
Inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by a virus or bacteria, as opposed to an allergic reaction, is called infectious conjunctivitis.