Are you ready for a new allergy season? Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis represents allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin transparent covering of the eye that covers the inner surface of the eyelids and the front part of the eye except for the cornea. It most often affects both eyes and is manifested by redness, burning, itching and watery eyes.

It occurs more often in atopic – persons susceptible to allergies, who already have allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis (eczema), as well as people who wear contact lenses for a long time.

Eye allergy symptoms can also be accompanied by sneezing, runny nose, dry cough.

Allergic conjunctivitis can be :

• seasonal – it occurs at a certain time of the year and is caused by seasonal allergens when they come into contact with the conjunctival mucosa from the air. Most often, it is pollen from trees, grasses or weeds.
• off-season – it is caused by year-round allergens. It is usually the ingredients of house dust, especially the dust mites that live in it, the hairs of pets and domestic animals. Symptoms are similar to seasonal conjunctivitis – redness, itching, tearing, burning sensation, feeling of the presence of a foreign body in the eye.

Untreated allergic conjunctivitis can cause changes in the cornea and thereby significantly endanger the function of vision. Incorrect treatment, most often in the form of uncritical application of corticosteroid ointments and drops, can lead to serious complications (e.g. corneal ulcers, increased eye pressure, changes in the lens), or can mask inflammation in the eye of a completely different nature. based on the medical history and eye examination, determine an adequate type of treatment.

The ophthalmology specialist team of the KUJA ZDRAVLJA polyclinic in Subotica is at your disposal.