Ocular allergies

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2001 Jul;1(4):389-96. doi: 10.1007/s11882-001-0053-z.

Abstract

Ocular allergic disease affects not only the conjunctivae but also surrounding structures including the eyelids. Allergic diseases of the eyelid include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and urticaria/angioedema. They must be differentiated from nonallergic eyelid diseases. Allergic diseases of the conjunctivae comprise a spectrum of disorders from common, non-sight-threatening conditions such as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, perennial allergic conjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis to less common and potentially sight-threatening diseases such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis and atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Each of these conditions is mediated primarily by type I hypersensitivity reactions. The clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions are reviewed in this article.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angioedema / diagnosis
  • Angioedema / therapy
  • Conjunctivitis, Allergic / diagnosis
  • Conjunctivitis, Allergic / therapy
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / therapy
  • Dermatitis, Contact / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis, Contact / therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Eye Diseases* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity* / diagnosis
  • Hypersensitivity* / therapy
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / diagnosis
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / therapy
  • Urticaria / diagnosis
  • Urticaria / therapy