Allergic conjunctivitis

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Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Eye

Allergic conjunctivitis

Definition:

Allergic conjunctivitis describes the eye's reaction to allergy-causing substances like pollen and dander. It usually includes redness, tearing, and itching.

Alternative Names:

Conjunctivitis - allergic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

When your eyes are exposed to a substance to which you are allergic, histamine is released and the blood vessels in the conjunctiva become swollen. (The conjunctiva is the clear membrane that covers the "white" of the eye.) Reddening of the eyes develops quickly and is accompanied by itching and tearing.

Allergies tend to run in families, although no obvious mode of inheritance is recognized. The incidence of allergy is difficult to determine, because many different conditions often are lumped under the term allergy. Keep in mind that rubbing the eyes makes the situation worse.

Review Date: 7/24/2004
Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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