Today we’re talking about a topic that might affect us all at some point in our life - allergic conjunctivitis, a form of pink eye.

A general overview of the condition might be known such as red, itchy eyes, discharge from the eye, burning eyes, and blurred vision.^[1] But, today we’re going to get into the nitty-gritty of what allergic conjunctivitis really does and does it have an impact on our eye health and vision?

Read on to find out.

Allergic Conjunctivitis in A Nutshell

Conjunctivitis, a form of pink eye as it’s commonly known, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva - the thin, clear tissue that covers the white part of your eye and lines the inside of your eyelids. It’s like a protective, transparent raincoat for your eyeballs. The inflammation of the conjunctiva can cause the blood vessels to dilate and become more visible resulting in the red-eye look. There are different types of conjunctivitis like viral, bacterial, and allergic.^[2]

Allergic conjunctivitis, in particular, is a common form of pink eye caused by allergens like pollen, pet dander, or dust mites. In fact, Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis is its most common form. While allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and harmful, chronic exposure to allergens may lead to eye discomfort and even impact your overall quality of life. Appropriate medications for the relief of the symptoms of seasonal eye allergies like Cromolyn^TM Eye Drops, can help you keep your eyes feeling fresh.^[3]

Getting straight to the point now, we answer the question most of us worry about the most.

Can conjunctivitis impact your eye health and compromise your vision?

It might surprise you to know that even allergic conjunctivitis has its own classifications and differences which impact your vision health. Let’s look at the subtypes of allergic conjunctivitis below:^[4]

Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis

Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis (SAC) is the most common type of eye allergy, typically triggered by certain airborne allergens. Symptoms of this type include clear, watery discharge, usually in both eyes with minimal crustiness in the mornings. While it rarely causes pain, reduced vision, or causes permanent eye damage, it can make it hard to do daily tasks.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

This type is most found in the spring season and includes thick mucus discharge, pain, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and blurred vision. Those with infections are also seen complaining about a foreign body sensation.

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis

The symptoms under this type are mostly perennial and include pain, blurry vision, photophobia, and foreign body sensation. This is similar to simple allergic conjunctivitis, however there is an addition of chronic inflammatory changes as seen on the ocular surface, eyelids, and lower lid more commonly.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

The symptoms under this type are, again, consistent with those of simple allergic conjunctivitis. However, the situation worsens and instead of clear, watery discharge you can observe thick mucus. Increased pain and blurry vision along with a sense of foreign body are also experienced.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while all four types of allergic conjunctivitis present discomfort, it's important to note that Cromolyn^TM Eye Drops is specifically recommended only for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Seasonal conjunctivitis might be a temporary inconvenience, but it’s helpful to address it promptly to prevent complications. Take care of your eyes and use appropriate eye drops like Cromolyn^TM Eye Drops, and seek medical attention if necessary.

This product may not be right for you. Please read and follow the label before use for a list of contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions.

Reference:

^[1] Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye) By Jabeen Begum, MD Web MD -
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-conjunctivitis

^[2] Pink eye (conjunctivitis), Mayo Clinic -
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20376355

^[3] Allergic Conjunctivitis, John Hopkins -
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/allergic-conjunctivitis

^[4] Allergic Conjunctivitis, NIH -
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448118/#:~:text=Giant%20Papillary%20Conjunctivitis%3A%20Symptoms%20consistent,(contact%20lenses%2C%20sutures)