What Is Allergy of eye

Allergy of the eye is mostly known as Vernal Keratoconjuctivitis / Conjuctivitis which is a chronic but non-contagious disorder. This disease is usually seasonal especially appearing in spring or warm weather, hence known as Spring Catarrh. It always involves Conjunctiva of both eyes. It may involve Cornea as well.

Causes of Allergy

• Hypersensitivity to airborne allergens like pollen, dust, dander etc.
• Environmental factors like smoke, chemicals, and other pollutants
• Wind, heat, sun etc. may also cause allergy
• Sex hormones (oestrogen& progesterone)

Young children especially boys are affected.

Symptoms

• Redness or muddy eyes
• Itching
• Eye pain and inflammation
• Feeling of sand or foreign body in the eye
• Watery discharge from eye
• Blurred vision
• Intolerance to light

What your doctor looks for

• Swelling of the outer membrane of the eye
• Papillae formation in eyelids
• Drooping eye lids
• Frequent blinking of eye
• Cobblestone-like changes appear in the upper eyelid linings
• Development of gelatinous nodule in the tissue adjacent to the cornea (limbus)
• Scarring of cornea (shield ulcers)
• Clouding of the lens (cataract)
• Family history of allergies
• Presence of any allergic disorders (like allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema)
• Warm dry / wet weather
• Environmental or occupational exposure to seasonal allergens

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis of Allergy is very important as it becomes difficult to treat, if it becomes chronic.

• Complete patient history evaluation especially the repetitive nature and seasonal variation of the condition
• A detailed eye examination including a slit lamp or ophthalmoscope exam
• Blood IgE and eosinophil evaluation
• Conjunctival scraping

Treatment

• The first step to manage Allergy is to identify of the allergen and thereafter avoiding contact with it completely.
• Medication with oral or topical antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers (a non-steroid drug)
• Artificial tears and ointments
• Non-steroid anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS)
• Topical steroids
• Immunotherapy (allergy shots) in severe cases
• Cold compresses

Trauma Care

Eye trauma, however minor it might appear, is an emergency which needs to be treated immediately.

Types of Eye Trauma / injury–

• Minor surface scratches / corneal abrasion
• Foreign body on the ocular surface
• Corneal laceration
• Penetrating wound with or without foreign body inside the eye
• Penetrating wound with uveal prolapse
• Blunt injury
• Burn wound
• Chemical injury

Symptoms

• Swelling of eye
• Watering of eye
• Redness
• Irritation
• Pain
• Discharge
• Blurring of Vision
• Blood in the Ant. Chamber
• Bleeding and complete loss of vision in severe injuries

What your doctor looks for

• In case of minor injuries, eye is examined on slit-lamp for minor abrasions / foreign body or any kind of discharge.
• In case of penetrating injury, eye is examined for any foreign body or prolapse of eye tissue through the wound or occurrence of cataract because of injury
• In case of severe / accident trauma, systemic vitals are checked and stabilized before eye examination.

Treatment

• Minor surface scratches are normally treated with mild anti-biotic / lubricating eye drops and need monitoring to ensure any infections don’t occur
• Deep puncture wounds from accidents could require immediate treatment or surgery to prevent permanent eye damage resulting in vision loss.

Prevention

• Wearing safety goggles or glasses may prevent many eye injuries altogether and maintaining healthy vision for a lifetime.
• In case of corneal scratches, rubbing and patching of the eye should be avoided. Eye should be kept simply closed or loosely tape a paper cup or eye shield over it.
• In case of a foreign object penetrating the eye, rubbing or trying to remove the foreign body at home could worsen the injury.
• In case of chemical injuries immediately washing the eye helps.
• The best immediate home remedy for any blunt injury is an ice pack and doctor should be consulted immediately.