When do allergic eye symptoms occur?
A. Allergic eye symptoms may be seasonal, usually in the late spring or fall when pollen counts are the highest. This is called Vernal Conjunctivitis (vernal for summer). This is common in persons with allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema or hay fever. Up to 80% of hay fever patients may have allergic eye conditions. Ocular allergy comes when histamine is released from mast cells. Pollen and dust come in contact with the mast cells of the conjunctiva producing what is called a type one hypersensitivity reaction with release of histamine and other mediators leading to inflammation. The symptoms include burning, itching, watery discharge that is often thick and is accompanied by nasal discharge and other allergic symptoms. Q. What causes allergy of the eye? Are there different types? A . There are many causes and types of ocular allergies. Eczema refers to an allergic eyelid inflammation, with redness, vesicles, crusts, oozing, scales, and itching of the lids. Psoriasis and seborrhea de
