Allergic to the eye: causes, symptoms, treatment

Allergy in the eyes is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye caused by contact with an allergen. The allergic reaction can be manifested as eye swelling, and reddening of the eyelids, irritation and itching, fear of light, lacrimation. Sometimes the disease leads to a visual impairment.

First causes of allergy in eyes

First of all, an allergy is a reaction of the body to any stimulus. The eyes are the ideal part of the body for the development of the reaction. It all starts with the fact that inflammation factors enter the conjunctiva, which cause the symptoms of the disease.

Allergy under the eyes, as well as on them, occurs with various disturbances in the functioning of the immune system, as well as with the genetic sensitivity of the organism to a specific irritant. Very often, the course of the disease is combined with diseases associated with impaired immunity( allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis).

Allergy varieties on the eyelids of the eye

There are several types of allergic reaction in the eyes:

• Allergic conjunctivitis, in which the eyes are itchy - can be caused by the wearing of lenses. You can also note irritation and redness;
• Spring keratoconjunctivitis. Most often occurs in boys under 12 years of age and has a chronic form;
• Infectious allergic conjunctivitis. It can occur in the bacterial infection of the eyelids in a chronic form;
• Drug conjunctivitis. You may have this type of allergy, if within an hour after applying the medication, you observe all the symptoms of an allergic reaction;Large papillary conjunctivitis. Irritant in this case is a foreign body that has got into the eye. The main causes of allergies are postoperative sutures in the eyes, wearing contact lenses or prostheses, etc.;
• Pollinous conjunctivitis. Occurs during flowering of plants due to pollen.
• Chronic conjunctivitis. The symptomatology of this species is not clearly expressed.

Allergy to the eyes, as well as allergy to the body, can be chronic or acute and can occur seasonally or year-round.

Symptoms of the disease

In the development of an allergic reaction to the eyes, these symptoms occur:

• edema and redness of the conjunctiva( with swelling can also observe the "swim" of the cornea);
• severe itching of the eyelids;
• burning sensation;
• phobia of light;
• lacrimation;
• discomfort in the eyelids.

Some cases of the disease are accompanied by loss of control over any movements of the upper eyelid. Sometimes people with allergies in their eyes complain about mucous discharge from them.

Diagnosis

To begin with, it is necessary to visit a specialist who will conduct an eye examination and send the patient to the test. In this case, you need to pass a general analysis of blood and urine, as well as undergo a cytological or bacteriological study of the mucus to be separated from the eyes. A doctor can also send a patient to an immunogram and a biochemical blood test.

During the remission under the supervision of specialists, various provocative tests are performed on the skin: nasal, sublingual, conjunctival.

Methods of treating allergies before the eyes of

With such a problem as eyelid allergy, the treatment has the same directions as with any other allergic reaction. To begin with, it is necessary to exclude any contact with the allergen( remove the foreign body from the eye, remove contact lenses, etc.).

The main symptoms of allergies can be removed with the help of drops for the eyes( allergodyl, ketotifen, alomide, lekrolin, nafkon-A).These drops are used in conjunction with the use of an antihistamine drug - loratadine.

There are also hormone-containing drops for the eyes. In most cases, this remedy is prescribed for severe disease. For example, if a patient has a solar allergy - treatment is usually done with hormonal ointments. The drug contains dexamethasone and hydrocortisone. Contraindication to the use of this tool is an allergy in pregnancy - treatment of pregnant women is carried out more sparing methods and means. In any case, before taking these medications, you need a doctor's consultation.

If a bacterial infection is present, antibiotic treatment will be required, among which are maxitrol, tobraxide, or dexa-gentamicin.

Unfortunately, using drops for the eyes can only reduce the symptoms of allergies, the very cause of the reaction will remain. Therefore, in the absence of the possibility of eliminating the allergen, basic therapy is not used. In this case, a special immunotherapy is performed in the hospital, the indication to which there are constant relapses of the disease.

If the disease does not pass within a week, an additional infection may occur. For example, spring catarrh, except for the defeat of the cornea of ​​the eye, can cause problems such as keratinization, ulceration or erosion.