Allergy Awareness Week 2024

Ocular allergy is a common hypersensitivity disorder that affects 15%-20% of the population in developed nations (1). It has an impact on quality of life and could alter vision in some cases.

Who is affected by ocular allergy?

Generally, children and adolescents are more commonly affected by ocular allergy which tends to diminish with age. Adults are concerned too.

Individuals with asthma, eczema, and rhinitis often experience concurrent ocular allergy. There are more allergic people in Europe, North America and Japan than in developing countries.

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Symptoms and causes

Ocular allergy symptoms are often, but not always, associated with other allergic manifestations, mostly rhinitis (3).

The most common symptoms with all forms of ocular allergy are ocular itching, swelling, and tearing5. Light sensibility and intense itching are typical of the most severe disease due to frequent corneal involvement4. Symptoms may occur as acute episodes that are generally recurrent or may persist as chronic disease2.

Based to the triggering allergen and the season, symptoms can be seasonal, frequent, or lasting. Worsening of the disease can be triggered either by allergen re-exposure or, more frequently, by nonspecific element such as sunlight, wind, and dust (3,5).

Diagnosis of ocular allergy

The diagnosis of ocular allergy is usually based on clinical history, signs, and symptoms. Tests can be run to identify a specific allergen to have a better disease management (3). You should be queried on itching, duration of symptoms and worsening factors.

Red, watery, and itchy eyes recurring in the spring and summer is highly suggestive of allergic eye disease. Nasal symptoms might be present. A history of atopic disease such as eczema or asthma favours an allergic cause (3,6).

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What to do during allergic crisis?(2)

You may avoid and protect from allergens:

·???????? Limit exposure to allergens to which you are sensitive.

·???????? Wear sunglasses.

·???????? Wash your clothes and your bedding frequently.

·???????? Air for at least 10 minutes a day before sunrise and after sunset.

·???????? Avoid drying clothes outside.

·???????? Avoid outdoor activities.

·???????? Consult the pollen calendar.

You can consult your healthcare professional, who will prescribe you anti-allergic eye drops.

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????TO KNOW MORE ON OCULAR ALLERGIES:

What is Allergy? (youtube.com)

References:

1. Butrus S, Portela R. Ocular allergy: diagnosis and treatment. Ophthalmology clinics of North America 2005;18(4):485-92, v.

2. Patel DS, Arunakirinathan M, Stuart A, Angunawela R. Allergic eye disease. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2017;359:j4706.

3. Leonardi A, Bogacka E, Fauquert JL, Kowalski ML, Groblewska A, Jedrzejczak-Czechowicz M et al. Ocular allergy:

recognizing and diagnosing hypersensitivity disorders of the ocular surface. Allergy 2012;67(11):1327–1337.

4. Villani E, Rabbiolo G, Nucci P. Ocular allergy as a risk factor for dry eye in adults and children. Current opinion in allergy

and clinical immunology 2018;18(5):398–403.

5. Bonini S, Leonardi A.The multifaceted aspects of ocular allergies: Phenotypes and endotypes. Ocul Surf. 2022 Oct;26:174-183.

6. Riggioni Víquez S, Riggioni Víquez C, Ribó González P, Araujo Sánchez G, Sánchez-Hernández MC, Valero Santiago AL. Diagnosis and Management of Allergic Conjunctivitis. Curr Treat Options Allergy 2018;5(2):256–265.