Conjunctivitis - Allergic, Seasonal & Perennial Disease Summary

Allergic conjunctivitis is a classic type 1 immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity reaction wherein there is direct exposure of ocular mucosal surfaces to the environment that causes an immediate hypersensitivity reaction in which triggering antigens couple to reaginic antibodies (IgE) on the cell surface of mast cells and basophils may lead to the release of histamines that can cause capillary dilation and increased permeability and thus, conjunctival injection and swelling occur.
Signs and symptoms include eyelid edema, ocular/periocular itching with redness, tearing, burning, stinging, photophobia, watery or white stringy mucoid discharge, and/or ecchymosis (“allergic shiner”), foreign body sensation; characterized by exacerbations and remissions.
Allergic conjunctivitis is usually diagnosed by history and clinical presentation.
Ophthalmic antihistamines provide immediate ocular relief as compared to oral antihistamines.

For further information regarding the management of Conjunctivitis - Allergic, Seasonal & Perennial, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.