Conjunctivitis represents an inflammation of the conjunctivae,-the mucous membranes that are covering the white of the eyes and the inner side of the eyelids. It affects both eyes, spreading from one to the other in short time( 1-2 days).
There are known several immunologic hypersensitivity reactions and types of conjunctivitis, such as:
-Bacterial conjunctivitis;
-Viral conjunctivitis;
-Chlamydial conjunctivitis;
-Allergic conjunctivitis;
-Reactive conjunctivitis/ chemical or irritant conjunctivitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis include:
-Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis
-Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
-Atopic keratoconjunctivitis
-Giant papillary conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis represents a serious problem, depending on the symptoms severity and the lengh of time passed since the first signs of the disease. It is associated with intense itching of the eyes, manifesting itself especially at particular times of the year, usually during spring and summer, caused by the pollen in the air.
Early diagnosis and treatment allows the doctors to identify the responsible allergies and remove the inflammatory reaction that caused the conjuctivitis.Developing a good hygiene of hands and face plays a major role in prevention of conjunctivitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis treatment is developed in order to prevent conjunctivitis side effects and complications, including the spread of the infection inside the eye, ears or pharynx.
The most common type of pharmacologic intervention treatment includes the use of antihistamine drops and Corticosteroid drops, such as Sodium Cromoglicate, in order to relieve acute symptoms, prevent the allergic response and remove the source of allergen.
The use of an antibiotic against allergic conjunctivitis eliminates the risk of transmitting it to others. Antibiotics effect can be noticed from the first day of treatment, getting better gradually in a few weeks.
Artificial tears can improve the treatment, acting as a barrier at the level of conjunctival mucosa.
Vasoconstrictors, such as naphazoline, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, and tetrahydrozoline, act as a temporary solution for the short-term relief of the vascular injection and redness.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as lodoxamide (Alomide). Olopatadine (Patanol), nedocromil (Alocril), and ketotifen (Zaditor), are used in order to prevent the membrane changes and the decrease in degranulation of mast cells, having as a result the increase of the resistance against the exposure to the allergen.
The first symptoms are relevant and it is necessary the clean of the eye with a compress that was dipped into a glass filled with boiled water and salt. The eye will be cleaned from the external angle to the internal one.
Another allergic conjunctivitis additional treatments include Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Corticosteroids( rimexolone, medrysone, and fluorometholone) and systemic and/or topical antihistamines.