home Folk remedies Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms in adults. Allergic conjunctivitis: symptoms and treatment with drugs

Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms in adults. Allergic conjunctivitis: symptoms and treatment with drugs

is a reactive inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by immune reactions in response to contact with an allergen. With allergic conjunctivitis, hyperemia and swelling of the eye mucosa, itching and swelling of the eyelids, lacrimation, and photophobia develop. Diagnosis is based on collecting an allergy history, performing skin tests, provocative allergy tests (conjunctival, nasal, sublingual), laboratory research. In the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, antihistamines (orally and locally), topical corticosteroids, and specific immunotherapy are used.

ICD-10

H10.1 Acute atopic conjunctivitis

General information

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs in approximately 15% of the population and is a significant problem in modern ophthalmology and allergology. Allergic damage to the organ of vision in 90% of cases is accompanied by the development of conjunctivitis, less often - allergic blepharitis, eyelid dermatitis, allergic keratitis, uveitis, iritis, retinitis, neuritis. Allergic conjunctivitis occurs in both sexes, mainly young. Allergic conjunctivitis is often combined with other allergies - allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis.

Causes

What is common in the etiology of all forms of allergic conjunctivitis is increased sensitivity to various factors environment. Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure and location of the eyes, they are most susceptible to contact with exogenous allergens. Depending on the etiology there are:

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of allergic conjunctivitis is based on an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction. The triggering factor for allergic conjunctivitis is direct contact of the allergen with the conjunctiva, leading to degranulation of mast cells, activation of lymphocytes and eosinophils and a clinical response followed by an inflammatory-allergic reaction. Mediators released by mast cells (histamine, serotonin, leukotrienes, etc.) cause the development of characteristic symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

The severity of allergic conjunctivitis depends on the concentration of the allergen and the reactivity of the body. The rate of development of a hypersensitivity reaction in allergic conjunctivitis can be immediate (within 30 minutes from the moment of contact with the allergen) or delayed (after 24-48 or more hours). This classification of allergic conjunctivitis is practically significant for choosing drug therapy.

Classification

Allergic eye lesions can occur in the form of hay fever conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, large papillary conjunctivitis, drug conjunctivitis, chronic allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis can be acute, subacute or chronic; by time of occurrence - seasonal or year-round.

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis

Allergies usually affect both eyes. Symptoms develop within a period of several minutes to 1-2 days from the moment of exposure to the allergen. Allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by severe itching of the eyes, burning under the eyelids, lacrimation, swelling and hyperemia of the conjunctiva; in severe cases – development of photophobia, blepharospasm, ptosis.

The itching in allergic conjunctivitis is so intense that it forces the patient to constantly rub his eyes, which, in turn, further intensifies other clinical manifestations. Small papillae or follicles may form on the mucosa. The discharge from the eyes is usually mucous, transparent, sometimes viscous, thread-like. When the infection develops, a purulent secretion appears in the corners of the eyes.

In some forms of allergic conjunctivitis (vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis), damage to the cornea occurs. In case of drug allergies, damage to the skin of the eyelids, cornea, retina, choroid, optic nerve. Acute drug-induced conjunctivitis is sometimes aggravated by anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema, acute urticaria, and systemic capillary toxicosis.

In chronic allergic conjunctivitis, the symptoms are poorly expressed: complaints of periodic itching of the eyelids, burning of the eyes, redness of the eyelids, lacrimation, and a moderate amount of discharge are typical. Chronic allergic conjunctivitis is said to occur if the disease lasts 6-12 months.

Diagnostics

In the diagnosis and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, coordinated interaction between the treating ophthalmologist and the allergist-immunologist is important. If the history shows a clear connection between conjunctivitis and exposure to an external allergen, the diagnosis is usually not in doubt. To confirm the diagnosis, the following is carried out:

Ophthalmological examination. Detects changes in the conjunctiva (edema, hyperemia, papillary hyperplasia, etc.). Microscopic examination Conjunctival scraping for allergic conjunctivitis allows you to detect eosinophils (10% and above). In the blood, an increase in IgE of more than 100-150 IU is typical.
Allergy examination. To establish the cause of allergic conjunctivitis, tests are carried out: elimination, when against the background clinical manifestations contact with the suspected allergen is excluded, and exposure, which consists of repeated exposure to this allergen after the symptoms have subsided. After the acute allergic manifestations of conjunctivitis subside, skin allergic tests (application, scarification, electrophoresis, prick test) are performed. During the period of remission, they resort to provocative tests - conjunctival, sublingual and nasal.
Laboratory examination. In case of chronic allergic conjunctivitis, examination of eyelashes for demodex is indicated. If an eye infection is suspected, a bacteriological examination of a smear from the conjunctiva for microflora is carried out.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis

The basic principles of treatment of allergic conjunctivitis include: elimination (exclusion) of the allergen, local and systemic desensitizing therapy, symptomatic drug therapy, specific immunotherapy, prevention of secondary infections and complications. In case of large papillary conjunctivitis, it is necessary to stop wearing contact lenses, eye prostheses, and remove postoperative sutures or deletion foreign body.

For allergic conjunctivitis, oral antihistamines (claritin, ketotifen, etc.) and the use of antiallergic eye drops (levocabastine, azelastine, olopatadine) 2-4 times a day are prescribed. Also shown local use in the form of drops of cromoglycic acid derivatives (mast cell stabilizers). When dry eye syndrome develops, tear substitutes are prescribed; with damage to the cornea - eye drops with dexpanthenol and vitamins.

Severe forms of allergic conjunctivitis may require prescription topical corticosteroids(eye drops or ointments with dexamethasone, hydrocortisone), topical NSAIDs (eye drops with diclofenac). Persistently recurrent allergic conjunctivitis is the basis for specific immunotherapy.

Prognosis and prevention

In most cases, once the allergen is identified and eliminated, the prognosis for allergic conjunctivitis is favorable. In the absence of treatment, an infection may occur with the development of secondary herpetic or bacterial keratitis, and a decrease in visual acuity. In order to prevent allergic conjunctivitis, contact with known allergens should be avoided whenever possible. In case of seasonal forms of allergic conjunctivitis, preventive courses of desensitizing therapy are necessary. Patients suffering from allergic conjunctivitis should be observed by an ophthalmologist and an allergist.

Allergic conjunctivitis is local reaction mucous membrane of the eyes to contact with the allergen. The disease can be combined with skin reactions, symptoms of rhinitis, and occurs mainly in young people. At the first signs of allergic conjunctivitis, it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Allergies can be unpredictable, accompanied not only by redness of the mucous membrane and swelling of the eyelids, but also bronchospasm, Quincke's edema and urticaria.

Main types of disease:

Depending on the current pathological process can be acute or chronic. Experts also highlight both eyes. Without treatment, the disease in acute form becomes chronic, can give frequent relapses, cause purulent infections and decreased local immunity.

Symptoms

How does allergic conjunctivitis manifest? The disease often occurs chronically, with exacerbations in the spring months. Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis appear immediately after contact with the allergen. Manifestations of the disease can be triggered by allergic foods, plant pollen, use of medications, exacerbation chronic rhinitis or bronchitis.

The main symptoms of chronic allergic conjunctivitis:

severe itching, burning eyelids;
lacrimation;
swelling and redness of the conjunctiva;
photosensitivity.

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis in an adult occur within 24 hours after exposure to the allergen. Intense itching forces the eyes to rub vigorously, which can lead to a secondary infection and cause suppuration of the eyelids. Most characteristic symptom Allergic conjunctivitis is severe redness of the mucous membrane. Individual enlarged follicles and purulent crusts may appear on it.

Note! The discharge from the eyes in the first days is usually transparent, but as the pathology develops it can become cloudy, become purulent and mucopurulent.

Causes

The main cause of allergic conjunctivitis is contact with an allergen. Various exogenous allergens can provoke an exacerbation of the disease. Most often, relapse of the disease is associated with flowering plants in the spring. It is in the spring months that many diseases of an allergenic nature worsen.

In the chronic relapsing form of the disease, allergens include house dust, animal hair, cosmetical tools and food products. The disease is often combined with bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, obstructive bronchitis and chronic eczema.

Is allergic conjunctivitis contagious?

Is allergic conjunctivitis transmitted to others? Since the disease is based on an allergic reaction that is not spread by airborne droplets or any other means, the disease is considered not contagious. But sometimes allergic conjunctivitis worsens after suffering respiratory viral diseases, which are highly contagious and can pose a threat to others.

Complications and consequences of the disease

With timely treatment of allergic conjunctivitis of the eyes, the prognosis is favorable. If the doctor identifies the allergen and does everything to prevent the patient’s body from contacting it, the disease will recur extremely rarely. But in the absence effective therapy, untimely use of medications for allergic conjunctivitis may result in a secondary infection with the appearance of copious purulent discharge. Also a complication is that it can lead to a decrease in visual acuity.

Diagnostics

To pick up effective treatment allergic conjunctivitis, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive diagnostics. An examination is prescribed by an ophthalmologist or allergist.

To determine the exact allergen, skin provocative tests, allergy tests, prick tests and other informative studies are performed. Additionally, it may be necessary to take a smear from the conjunctiva to determine the microflora and identify infectious pathogens.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis

How to treat allergic conjunctivitis in adults? The most important thing is to avoid contact with allergens. This helps to quickly eliminate the symptoms of the disease and improve the patient’s condition. Specific medications for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis are selected by an ophthalmologist. They mainly use local agents that have antipruritic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects.

If the risk of a secondary infection increases, antibacterial drops for allergic conjunctivitis are prescribed. They destroy infectious pathogens, stop their active reproduction and prevent the spread of the infectious process to neighboring tissues.

Regardless of the severity of the clinical manifestations of the pathology, ophthalmologists prescribe antihistamines orally and in the form of ointments, drops, gels and tablets (Claritin, Zyrtec, Lecrolin, Opatanol). Such products are used several times a day. They relieve itching, swelling and other manifestations of the disease. Severe conjunctivitis requires the use of corticosteroids with dexamethasone or hydrocortisone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

In case of frequent relapses, specific immunotherapy is necessarily carried out, the purpose of which is to save the patient from allergic reaction by introducing gradually increasing doses of the allergen into the body. But this technique is carried out only in conditions medical institution. Specific immunotherapy carried out by trained specialists who, if necessary, can provide emergency medical care and help quickly suppress an acute allergic reaction.

Important! Only a doctor, having the results of allergy diagnostics in hand, can tell how to treat allergic conjunctivitis in an adult and how to prevent relapses. Do not neglect the help of a specialist. The doctor will help you choose effective drug therapy and stop the development of the disease.

Diet

Following a diet for conjunctivitis of an allergic nature makes it possible to improve general health sick. Many patients with this disease exhibit hypersensitivity to certain foods. Diet is part of a comprehensive treatment. Citrus fruits and chocolate are excluded from the diet - these are the foods that are highly allergic. Some experts recommend avoiding honey if bee products are poorly tolerated by the body. But when compiling a list of prohibited foods, it is necessary to focus on the individual characteristics of each patient.

An ophthalmologist should tell you what products are suitable for allergic conjunctivitis in a particular patient. Usually strict restrictions not required. It is enough to avoid eating citrus fruits and large quantity sweets.

Treatment with folk remedies

Is allergic conjunctivitis effective? Home remedies can only be used as a complement to classical therapy.

Completely switch to traditional medicine not recommended due to the high risk of worsening signs of an allergic reaction. Without antihistamines and local treatment it is impossible to get rid of inflammation, itching and redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes.

But traditional methods can be used as a reasonable addition to primary drug therapy. Here are some proven and effective recipes:

if itching, swelling of the eyelids and redness of the eyes occur, wash them with aloe juice, which must be diluted slightly with water;
apply black tea bags to your eyes;
make lotions from chamomile infusion and others medicinal herbs(sage, St. John's wort, linden);
wash your eyes with infusion of medicinal marshmallow(2 roots washed, cut and pour boiling water for 8 hours).

It helps fight inflammation and prevent the development of an infectious process. It can be used on the eyes several times a day. Infusions and lotions are also made from anti-inflammatory herbs. It is important to use them regularly during the first days after the onset of symptoms of an exacerbation of the disease.

If the pathology recurs again and again, it is possible that, in addition to allergies, it progresses hidden infection. It’s better to get all tests done to identify the pathogen. Infectious diseases themselves can provoke the development of allergies. In this case, you can’t do without it. But folk recipes even with an infectious-allergic nature they will be useful: they relieve itching well and disinfect tissues.

Course of the disease in children

With allergic conjunctivitis in children, the general well-being of the child greatly deteriorates. He becomes moody, sleeps poorly, and refuses to eat. The disease is accompanied severe swelling mucous membrane, itching and redness of the eyes, active lacrimation.

Allergies can be triggered by food, plant pollen, household dust, animal dander, medications and foreign bodies. Symptoms of the disease appear almost instantly after contact with the allergen. In pathological inflammatory process both eyes are involved. In severe cases, photophobia occurs.

In children, chronic allergies in the eye mucosa are often complicated by secondary infection. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor infection safety and prohibit the child from touching and scratching his eyes with his hands. To prevent infectious complications with frequent relapses, antibacterial drugs are prescribed from the first day of the disease. Be sure to use antihistamines (Tavegil, Suprastin, Fenistil and others) - they are the main ones in the treatment of the disease. If you cannot completely protect your child from contact with allergens and the development of allergic conjunctivitis, you must always take first aid supplies with you. They are precisely antihistamines.

The course of allergic conjunctivitis in pregnant women

Happens during pregnancy hormonal changes body, immune activity naturally decreases to protect the fetus from the threat of miscarriage. As a result of these changes, the preconditions for the appearance of hyperactivity are created. immune system and development of allergies. Many women are not even aware of their sensitivity to certain foods, medications or pollen. New cosmetics can also cause an inflammatory reaction.

The main manifestations of pathology during pregnancy:

itching in the eyes;
lacrimation;
redness of the mucous membrane and skin around the eyes;
swelling and sticking of the eyelids.

It is quite difficult to treat allergies during pregnancy. Common medications that quickly relieve the symptoms of the disease are prohibited, but it is possible to find a suitable remedy, and this will be done by a doctor.

Every year, experts conduct research in the field of modern pharmacology, find out which drugs have a teratogenic effect on the fetus and can threaten pregnancy. Only doctors have such information, and they are the ones who can choose a treatment regimen that will not harm the health of the unborn child.

Prevention

Prevention of the disease eliminates contact with common allergens. It is recommended to constantly follow a hypoallergenic diet and not consume potentially dangerous products foods that most often provoke allergic reactions. If you are prone to conjunctivitis, you must periodically visit an ophthalmologist, conduct preventive studies and comprehensive ophthalmological diagnostics.

Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammatory process in the conjunctiva of the eye, which is a reaction of the human body to any allergen. This condition It is usually classified as a single group of diseases, which are collectively called “red eye syndrome.”

This syndrome affects about 15% of the population. Most often it can be observed in young people. As a rule, the disease is combined with other allergic manifestations. In this regard, treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is always carried out in a complex manner, taking into account the type of allergen that caused it.

Cause of the disease

Allergic conjunctivitis appears immediately after contact with the allergen that caused it. This occurs due to the structural features of the organ of vision, which facilitates the ease of penetration of various allergens.

The most common:

Household allergens. These include dust mites, library dust, feathers, and pillow fluff.

Epidermal. This variety includes wool, pet dander, bird feathers, bird and fish food, etc.

Pollenaceae. Usually this is pollen from flowering plants and poplar fluff.

Allergies to household chemicals, medications and cosmetics are common. And here food allergy, which causes conjunctivitis, is less common.

Symptoms

As a rule, both eyes are affected at once. A person feels severe itching in the eye area, especially under the eyelids, and a burning sensation. There is increased lacrimation, swelling, and conjunctival hyperemia occurs. In severe cases, photophobia, blepharospasm, and ptosis appear.

Itching causes a person to constantly rub their eyes, which only worsens the symptoms. The eyes become red, watery, and viscous mucus is released from them.

Some forms cause damage to the cornea. For example, drug allergies can cause damage to the skin of the eyelids, cornea, retina, choroid, and optic nerve. IN severe cases acute drug-induced conjunctivitis can provoke anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema. Acute urticaria and systemic capillary toxicosis often occur.

In the case of a chronic form of the disease, the symptoms are not so pronounced. Patients complain of moderate itching, burning and redness of the eyes. Lacrimation, in this case, is not as intense as in the acute form. The chronic form is defined if conjunctivitis lasts more than 6-12 months.

Treatment

Treatment begins only when the diagnosis is finally established and the allergen that caused it is identified. If this is not done, the treatment will not bring the desired effect, and the disease will become chronic. The disease will only progress, which is fraught with serious complications.

Consists of a set of activities:

Second and third generation antihistamines are used. Among them are Claritin, Kestin, Cetrin, Erius, Telfast, Xysal, etc. The drugs are prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the patient’s age. Take the medicine once a day, the course of treatment is 10-14 days. In some cases, other treatment regimens are used, longer ones, sometimes up to several months.

When treating allergic conjunctivitis, it is recommended to use topical agents. Drugs in the form of tablets, as a rule, do not always bring the expected effect.

Topical antihistamines are used, which are released in the form of eye drops, for example, Allergodil, Histimet, Opatanol. They are instilled into the eyes 2 to 4 times a day. The duration of treatment should be determined by the attending physician.

One of the most popular medicinal groups, used to treat this disease are derivatives of cromoglycic acid. These are eye drops - cromohexal, high-crom, optikrom. They are used for a long time, at least 10-14 days. They are instilled 1-2 drops into each eye, 3-4 times a day.

Topical corticosteroid drugs are used. This group is used in cases of severe inflammation of the conjunctiva. These drugs include dexamethasone and hydrocortisone eye drops. Apply hydrocortisone eye ointment. Medicines are prescribed by a doctor and used 1-3 times a day. The duration of treatment will also be determined by the attending physician.

If the allergen that caused the disease is identified and there are no contraindications, allergen-specific therapy is carried out. This treatment is carried out only by an allergist in a specially equipped and equipped allergy room or in a hospital setting.

The therapy consists of procedures for introducing a small dose of the allergen into the patient’s blood, gradually increasing the concentration. This causes the patient to become accustomed to this allergen, causing symptoms to decrease or disappear completely. But this method is considered one of the most radical for eliminating allergic conjunctivitis.

In most cases, when the allergen has been accurately identified, treatment is effective and ends in recovery. In the event that adequate measures have not been taken, in the absence of treatment, the disease may be complicated by secondary herpetic or bacterial keratitis. The consequence of this infection can be a serious decrease in visual acuity.

It must be remembered that people suffering from this allergic disease, must be observed by an ophthalmologist and an allergist. Be healthy!

Regardless of the type of allergen that triggered allergic conjunctivitis, treatment of this disease is carried out using local and general antiallergic agents.

The patient is also prescribed immunostimulating therapy. But the most important condition successful treatment conjunctivitis - limit, or better yet completely eliminate, contact with the allergen.

Clinical picture

WHAT DOCTORS SAY ABOUT EFFECTIVE METHODS OF TREATING ALLERGIES

Vice-President of the Association of Children's Allergists and Immunologists of Russia. Pediatrician, allergist-immunologist. Smolkin Yuri Solomonovich

Practical medical experience: more than 30 years

According to the latest WHO data, it is allergic reactions in the human body that lead to the occurrence of most fatal diseases. And it all starts with the fact that a person has an itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, red spots on the skin, and in some cases, suffocation.

7 million people die every year due to allergies , and the scale of the damage is such that the allergic enzyme is present in almost every person.

Unfortunately, in Russia and the CIS countries, pharmaceutical corporations sell expensive medications that only relieve symptoms, thereby hooking people on one drug or another. This is why in these countries there is such a high percentage of diseases and so many people suffer from “non-working” drugs.

What is allergic conjunctivitis and when does it occur?

Allergies are a common disease. The number of patients increases every year. For some people, allergic reactions occur extremely rarely and are not very pronounced, while others suffer from several types of this disease and are forced to constantly monitor their lifestyle and carry medications with them for emergency relief of the reaction.

An allergy causes a malfunction in the immune system when it perceives an ordinary substance as potentially dangerous and reacts by releasing histamine. There are several types of allergic reactions: skin, respiratory, food.

One form of the disease is allergic conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the eye caused by an allergic reaction. Unlike infectious conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious, is not caused by pathogenic activity, and does not require treatment with antibiotics. But in some cases, a bacterial infection can join the existing inflammation.

Conjunctivitis can occur as an independent disease, but more often develops simultaneously with rhinitis or hay fever.

As a separate disease, it occurs as a result of direct contact (eye contact with an irritating substance, allergy to certain local medications or cosmetics).

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs in adults and children. Children have less control over themselves and often scratch their eyes, which is why the allergic reaction is complicated by infectious conjunctivitis.

Causes of the disease

The main factor that influences the occurrence of conjunctivitis is a special reaction of the immune system. The development of the disease is provoked by an allergen - an irritant substance. There are no universal allergens: each person has different substances that provoke the disease.

The most common cause of conjunctivitis is:

dust;
wool, saliva, feathers or industrial pet food;
plant pollen (often causes seasonal conjunctivitis);
contact lenses or solution for them;
for women - eye cosmetics (decorative - mascara, eyeliner, shadows, as well as skincare - anti-wrinkle creams and serums);
medications - drops that are used to treat ophthalmic diseases;
activity of viruses and bacteria in the upper respiratory tract, the toxins they produce (the main cause of red eyes and watery eyes during ARVI and influenza).

It is difficult to independently determine the cause of conjunctivitis in adults and children; this should be done by a doctor.

Only he can tell the difference infectious inflammation from allergies, will be able to accurately determine the type of allergen and prescribe effective treatment.

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis: how does the disease manifest itself?

Signs of the disease may appear immediately after contact with the allergen, or after a period of time - from a couple of hours to 2 days. Unlike infectious conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis occurs in both eyes at once (occasionally in one, but this is an atypical form of the disease).

It is characterized by:

profuse lacrimation;
itching, burning;
redness of the mucous membrane of the eye;
visual impairment – blurred vision before the eyes;
discharge from the eyes that thickens over time;
photophobia (occurs in severe forms);
dry eyes;
visual fatigue;
the appearance of a rash and papillae on the mucous membrane;
runny nose (accompanies conjunctivitis in approximately 85% of cases).

The patient may not have all symptoms, some may be less severe. In mild forms, the disease may be limited to slight redness and itching.

In particularly severe cases, temporary serious visual impairment may occur. Symptoms are the same in adults and children.

Types of allergic conjunctivitis

Depending on the time of occurrence and duration of the disease, the disease occurs:

Permanent– develops if the patient regularly comes into contact with an allergen. This is an immune reaction to house dust and animals.
Seasonal– occurs during the flowering period allergenic plants, usually in late spring and summer. During the cold season, the disease does not manifest itself.
Contact– occurs upon direct contact with the allergen; the rest of the time the person is absolutely healthy.

Types of diseases depending on the time of occurrence and type of allergen are presented in the table.

Type of disease	When does it occur	Main symptoms
Pollinose allergic conjunctivitis	Occurs during the flowering period of allergenic plants	Severe itching, lacrimation, thick discharge, runny nose.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis	Occurs in spring and summer, associated with flowering plants	Itching, burning, discharge from the eye, and lacrimation do not always occur.
Drug	Occurs at any time of the year while taking medications	This type accounts for approximately 30% of all allergic conjunctivitis. There is lacrimation, burning and itching, and redness. The inflammatory process involves the mucous membrane, cornea and even the optic nerve.
Atopic	This form occurs at any time of the year, usually in people over 40 years of age	Accompanied by itching and inflammation of the tissues of the eye, lacrimation does not always occur.

Forms of the disease

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs:

Spicy– a primary or one-time allergic reaction that occurs during a single or rare contact with an allergen. The disease occurs quickly, and when proper treatment- passes quickly. Signs of conjunctivitis are pronounced, present severe inflammation and swelling. Drug-induced and contact conjunctivitis, as well as infectious conjunctivitis (against the background of ARVI), often occur in this form.
Chronic occurs when the patient is in contact with an allergen for a long time or constantly. Symptoms are less pronounced than in the acute form, but complete sensitization does not occur. Eye inflammation is often accompanied by skin symptoms(eczema) and bronchial asthma. Allergy to house dust and other household allergens occurs in this form.

If you solve the underlying problem that caused the atypical immune reaction, the allergy itself will go away in most cases.

How to treat conjunctivitis?

Treatment of this disease is a complex and lengthy process. Even if it is possible to completely stop the symptoms, this is not a guarantee that allergic conjunctivitis will never occur again.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis and identify the allergen. Often, the results of allergy tests contradict obvious allergens, when in a person the seasonal form does not occur exactly during the flowering period of the allergen plant.

In this case, we talk about cross allergens - substances of different origins, which contain a common component that causes such a reaction in the patient.

General principles of treatment

Treatment regimen for allergic conjunctivitis includes:

Local agents – antihistamines and anti-inflammatory (eye drops).
Prescribing antihistamines.
Immunotherapy.
Complete limitation of contact with the allergen.

Eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis

Local remedies provide maximum quick effect, help to quickly relieve the symptoms of conjunctivitis, improve vision and overall well-being.

Antiallergic eye drops are especially effective for the contact form of the disease. For other forms, you should not limit yourself to local treatment only.

Eye drops that are used to treat allergic conjunctivitis:

Mast cell stabilizers ( active substance– cromoglycic acid). They help relieve the main symptoms, reduce redness and swelling. The main drugs in this group are Kromohexal, Krom-Allerg, Alomide. These products are well suited for adults, but there are a number of restrictions for children.
Histamine receptor blockers (Histimed, Opatanol, Azelastine, Visin Allergy) are contraindicated in children under 12 years of age.
For dry eye syndrome, especially in older patients, drops are prescribed to moisturize the mucous membrane (Vizin, Vidisik, Oftogel).
To restore the cornea, drops with vitamins are prescribed (Taufon, Khrustalin, Quinax).

If the allergic reaction is very severe and cannot be controlled classical treatment, the doctor prescribes eye drops and ointments containing corticosteroids (based on hydrocortisone and dexamethasone). Treatment is carried out under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.

Sometimes eye drops based on the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory substance, diclofenac, are prescribed to relieve inflammation.

Oral antihistamines (tablets and syrups):

To treat conjunctivitis, general antihistamines are used. These medications are necessary if eye inflammation is accompanied by a runny nose, skin or respiratory manifestations. The main drugs are Loratadine, Telfast, Cetrin, etc.

In the chronic form, immunotherapy is additionally carried out; in this case, drugs are selected individually.

For treatment dosage form diseases, the same drugs are used, but they are chosen with extreme caution and careful adherence to dosage. The drug that caused the allergy must be discontinued. In case of urgent need, replace it with a product with a similar effect, but based on a different active component.

Video

Conjunctivitis (colloquially Conjunctivitis) is a polyetiological inflammatory lesion of the conjunctiva - the mucous membrane covering inner surface eyelid and sclera. The cause may be bacteria (chlamydia is especially dangerous) or the same viruses that cause colds, sore throats, or. Every year, millions of people around the world suffer from conjunctivitis. These diseases are caused by many pathologies and pathological conditions. The treatment regimen for each individual case may be different, mainly depending on the factors that provoked the development of the disease.

In most cases, the disease is considered contagious. It is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene to avoid infecting others. In the article we will consider in more detail: what kind of eye disease this is, the main causes, types and symptoms of conjunctivitis, as well as effective methods treatment in adults.

What is eye conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye (conjunctiva) caused by allergies, bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogenic factors. Manifestations of this disease can lead to redness and swelling of the eyelids, the appearance of mucus or pus, lacrimation, burning and itching, etc. Conjunctivitis is the most common eye disease - it accounts for about 30% of all eye pathologies.

What is the conjunctiva? This is the mucous membrane of the eye that covers back surface eyelids and anterior surface eyeball up to the cornea. She does enough important functions that provide normal functioning organ of vision.

It is usually transparent, smooth and even shiny.
Its color depends on the underlying tissue.
She takes care of everyday tear production. The tears it produces are enough to moisturize and protect the eye. And only when we cry, the main large lacrimal gland comes into operation.

Conjunctivitis, in addition to spoiling appearance redness of the eyes and constant involuntary lacrimation, causes a number of extremely unpleasant symptoms, with whom it is impossible to continue living in a normal rhythm.

Classification

There are several classifications of this disease, which are based on different symptoms.

According to the nature of the disease:

Acute conjunctivitis of the eyes

Acute conjunctivitis is characterized by the rapid development of the disease, with severe symptoms. Most often, this variant of the development of the disease is observed in the case of infection by an infectious pathogen. Patients do not notice any warning signs, since the main symptoms increase almost immediately.

Chronic conjunctivitis

This type of inflammatory process in the conjunctiva of the eye lasts a long time, and the person presents numerous subjective complaints, the severity of which does not correlate with the degree of objective changes in the mucous membrane.

Due to inflammation, they release the following types conjunctivitis:

Bacterial - the provoking factor is pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria (streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, gonococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa);
Viral – provoked by herpes viruses, adenoviruses, etc.;
Fungal – occurs as a manifestation of systemic infections (aspergillosis, candidomycosis, actinomycosis, spirotrichillosis), or is provoked by pathogenic fungi;
Chlamydial conjunctivitis - occurs due to chlamydia entering the mucous membrane;
Allergic – occurs after the introduction of an allergen or irritant into the mucous membrane of the eyes (dust, wool, lint, varnish, paint, acetone, etc.);
Dystrophic conjunctivitis - develops as a result of a damaging effect occupational hazards(chemical reagents, paint, varnish, gasoline and other substances vapors, gases).

Depending on the nature of inflammation and morphological changes in the mucous membrane of the eye, conjunctivitis is divided into the following types:

Purulent conjunctivitis, which occurs with the formation of pus;
Catarrhal conjunctivitis, occurring without the formation of pus, but with copious mucous discharge;
Papillary develops against the background of an allergic reaction to eye medications and is the formation of small grains and compactions on the mucous membrane of the eye in the upper eyelid;
Follicular develops according to the first type of allergic reaction and represents the formation of follicles on the mucous membrane of the eye;
Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is characterized by numerous hemorrhages in the mucous membrane of the eye;
Membranous develops in children against the background of acute viral respiratory diseases.

Regardless of what caused the onset of the disease, it is important to quickly and competently begin treatment. It can be either medicinal or folk. The choice is made based on the degree eye inflammation and the patient's condition.

Causes

At the moment, there are many reasons for inflammation of the eye mucosa, and determining the factors that led to inflammation is a rather difficult task. But the success of treating this disease depends precisely on the correct determination of the causes of inflammation.

Incubation period Conjunctivitis, depending on the type, ranges from several hours (epidemic form) to 4-8 days (viral form).

So, the most common cause of conjunctivitis is the following:

Staying in a room where various aerosols and other substances of chemical origin are used
Prolonged stay in an area of high pollution
Impaired metabolism in the body
Diseases such as meibomitis, blepharitis
Avitaminosis
Impaired refraction - myopia, farsightedness,
Inflammation in the sinuses
Too bright sun, wind, too dry air

If conjunctivitis develops during professional grounds, then it is very important to follow preventive measures to eliminate the harmful effects of irritating factors.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis: what it looks like in the photo

The disease most often affects both eyes at once. However, sometimes the inflammatory response is expressed differently in each eye. Conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) has a number of the following common features and symptoms:

The condition of swelling and redness of the eyelids and folds;
The appearance of secretion in the form of mucus or pus;
The appearance of sensations of itching, burning, lacrimation;
A feeling of “sand” or the presence of a foreign body in the eye;
Feeling of fear of light, blepharospasm;
Feeling of difficulty opening the eyelids in the morning due to their gluing with secreted secretions, which can be the main sign of conjunctivitis;
Decreased visual acuity in the case of adenoviral keratitis, etc.

Symptoms of the disease may vary depending on what caused the inflammation.

Among accompanying symptoms conjunctivitis, on the basis of which the doctor identifies a general clinical picture The disease, its type and cause, are distinguished:

An increase in body temperature, cough, etc., as a rule, indicates infectious cause development of eye disease. Therefore, treatment will be aimed at eliminating the original source of the disease and strengthening the immune system.

In the photo below, you can see the characteristic redness of the eyes with conjunctivitis:

Symptoms

Acute conjunctivitis

The main symptoms of acute conjunctivitis:

Lacrimation due to the production of excess tear fluid.
Pain in the eyes is a consequence of irritation nerve endings, which are rich in both the conjunctiva and the eyeball itself.
Burning sensation.
Photophobia occurs as a result hypersensitivity to the sunlight.
The eyelids are swollen due to edema.
The conjunctiva is red and very swollen.
If the bacteria that caused acute conjunctivitis, are classified as pyogenic, then pus is released, the eyelids stick together.
Runny nose and general symptoms(fever, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite).

Chronic conjunctivitis

It develops gradually and is characterized by a persistent and long-lasting course. Characteristic features:

patients complain of discomfort,
feeling of a foreign body in the eye,
corneal clouding;
eyelids slightly reddened.

When exposed to bright sun, all these symptoms intensify, which is why the patient prefers to wear dark glasses.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacterial, caused by bacteria, often staphylococci and streptococci. It appears in the form purulent discharge and swelling of the conjunctiva. Sometimes the discharge is so abundant that it becomes extremely difficult to open the eyelids after sleep.

Signs

Regardless of the bacterium that started the inflammatory process, primary symptoms approximately the same, a cloudy, gray-yellow discharge suddenly appears on the mucous membrane, sticking the eyelids together in the morning. Additional symptoms conjunctivitis:

pain and stinging in the eyes,
dryness of the mucous membrane and skin of the eyelids.

Almost always one eye is affected, but if hygiene rules are not followed, the disease spreads to the other.

Treatment in adults

If the infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics in the form of eye drops and the infection will clear up within a few days. Doctors often recommend Floxal. It has a pronounced antimicrobial effect directed against pathogenic bacteria, which most often cause infectious and inflammatory eye lesions.

It is important to remember that when bacterial conjunctivitis drops should be instilled 2-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely, but for at least 7 days in a row, even if the painful manifestations are relieved almost immediately.

Viral conjunctivitis

The cause of infection is smallpox, measles, herpes viruses, adenovirus, and atypical trachoma virus. Conjunctivitis caused by adenoviruses and herpes viruses is very contagious; patients with such forms need to be isolated from others.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis:

Severe inflammatory reaction of the conjunctiva (swelling, redness due to vasodilation).
Inflammation of the conjunctiva occurs almost simultaneously in both eyes
Despite the pronounced inflammatory reaction, there is no abundant purulent discharge.
As a rule, eye inflammation is accompanied by fever and inflammation of nearby lymph nodes.

How to treat conjunctivitis of viral etiology?

There is currently no clear answer on how to treat viral conjunctivitis in adults. It should be remembered that treatment should be aimed at destroying the causative agents of the disease, which can be varied.

The basis of treatment is antiviral drugs, intended for general and local use. Local medications include drops and ointments containing tebrofen or oxolin. And also an interferon solution.

At acute course use Tobrex and Okacin eye drops up to six times a day. For severe swelling and irritation, use anti-inflammatory and antiallergic drops: Alomide, Lecrolin twice a day. In case of acute conjunctivitis, it is forbidden to blindfold or tape your eyes, as this greatly increases the risk of developing inflammation of the cornea.

Allergic conjunctivitis of the eyes

Allergic conjunctivitis is one of the many manifestations of allergies. This type of conjunctivitis often affects both eyes. The cause may be various allergens - infectious agents, drugs (atropine, quinine, morphine, antibiotics, physostigmine, ethylmorphine, etc.), cosmetics, household chemicals, physical and chemical factors at enterprises of the chemical, textile, flour-grinding industries

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis:

severe itching and burning of the eyelids and mucous membranes of the eyes,
severe swelling and redness,
lacrimation and photophobia.

How to treat conjunctivitis?

The basis of treatment in this case is antiallergic drugs such as Zyrtec, Suprastin, etc. Additionally, treatment is carried out antihistamines local action (Allergoftal, Spersallerg), as well as drugs that reduce the degranulation of mast cells. (Alomid 1%, Lecrolin 2%, Kusikrom 4%). They are used for a long time, administered 2 times a day.

In especially severe cases, it is possible to use local medications containing hormones, diphenhydramine and interferon.

Complications

When the body does not receive help in fighting the disease, there is a high probability that complications will arise, which will be much more difficult to cope with than the disease itself.

inflammatory diseases of the eyelids (including chronic blepharitis),
scarring of the cornea and eyelids,
allergic, chemical and other conjunctivitis can be complicated by the addition of a bacterial infection.

Diagnostics

Seek advice from a specialist if you know exactly what conjunctivitis is and notice its signs. The disease remains contagious for two weeks after the first symptoms appear. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment help prevent infection of others.

Immunofluorescence reaction (abbreviated RIF). This method allows you to determine the presence of antibodies to the pathogen in a fingerprint smear. It is used, as a rule, to confirm the chlamydial etiology of the disease.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Necessary to confirm a viral infection.
Microscopic examination of fingerprint smears. Allows you to see bacterial agents and subsequently determine their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs (during a bacteriological test).
If there is a suspicion of an allergic nature of conjunctivitis, a study is carried out to detect the titer of IgE antibodies, as well as a series of allergy tests.

Only after a complete diagnosis will the doctor be able to tell exactly how to treat chronic or acute conjunctivitis.

How to treat conjunctivitis in adults

The eye can be considered healthy only if the cause of the pathology (infectious agent) is eliminated and the painful consequences. Therefore treatment inflammatory diseases the eye is complex.

The treatment regimen for conjunctivitis is prescribed by an ophthalmologist, taking into account the causative agent, the severity of the process, and existing complications. Topical treatment of conjunctivitis requires frequent rinsing of the conjunctival cavity medicinal solutions, instillation of medications, application of eye ointments, performing subconjunctival injections.

1. Antiseptic drugs : Picloxidin and Albucid 20%

2. Antibacterial(etiotropic therapy):

staphylococcus, gonococcus, chlamydia (Erythromycin ointment)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Tetracycline ointment and/or Levomycetin drops)
virus-associated conjunctivitis (systemic immunocorrective and immunostimulating treatment is used, and broad-spectrum drugs are used locally antibacterial drugs, to prevent secondary bacterial damage)

3. Anti-inflammatory drugs(either steroidal or non-steroidal origin) are used locally and systemically for edema and hyperemia: Diclofenac, Dexamethasone, Olopatodin, Suprastin, Fenistil in drops.

If acute conjunctivitis is detected, treatment consists of getting rid of the pus:

For these purposes, use a solution of furatsilin (1:500), a pale pink solution of manganese or a solution boric acid 2%.
You should rinse your eyes every 2-3 hours, then instill antibacterial drops.
If acute form caused by coccal flora, the doctor prescribes oral antibiotics and sulfonamides.

If purulent conjunctivitis In adults, one eye is affected - both will still have to be washed and treated.

Drops

First on the list - hormonal agents, the latter are anti-inflammatory.

Eye drops used for conjunctivitis:

Vigamox;
Gentamicin;
Tobrex;
Vitabact;
Ciloxane.

To relieve inflammation after the acute process has subsided, the following remedies can be used:

Maxidex;
Tobradex;
Polydex;
Indocolir;
Diklo-F.

As already mentioned, the nature of the disease (viral, bacterial or allergic) can only be determined by an ophthalmologist during an in-person examination. He prescribes the final treatment regimen (if necessary, adjust it), but self-medication can lead to the development of complications or the disease becoming chronic.

In conclusion, I would like to note the fact that conjunctivitis can be the most harmless eye lesion, but in some cases it can have significant consequences, including irreversible loss of vision.

Treatment of conjunctivitis with folk remedies

For this disease, in parallel with treatment medicines can additionally be used folk remedies in adults. For example, you can use not only furatsilin solution for rinsing, but also herbal decoctions and tea. How to wash your eyes can be decided based on the availability of certain products in the house.

Prepare a mixture of carrot and parsley juices in a ratio of 3:1. To treat conjunctivitis, drink 0.7 cups 3 times a day before meals.
Chamomile has long been used as an antiseptic, and for conjunctivitis, lotions are made from the infusion of flowers. Distinctive feature The plant has a gentle effect that will not harm even pregnant women. 1 teaspoon of chamomile flowers is poured with 1 glass of boiling water. They insist for half an hour. Moisten a gauze pad and apply to the eyes 4 times a day
Pour 2 teaspoons of rose hips 1 cup boiling water, heat over low heat for 5 minutes and leave for 30 minutes. Apply lotions when there is discharge of pus.
Dill juice is another drug for home treatment conjunctivitis. Squeeze the juice from the dill stems and soak a cotton swab with it. Next, the tampon is applied to the inflamed eye for 15 minutes. The lotion is applied 4 to 7 times a day (depending on the stage of the disease). The course of treatment is at least 6 days.
Brewing strong black tea is cooled to room temperature. Apply compresses to sore eyes. The number of procedures is not limited, the more often the better. Relieves inflammation and speeds up recovery.
Agave is also widely used against allergic conjunctivitis in complex treatment, but drops are made from the plant: Squeeze the juice from a large leaf. Mix with water in a ratio of 1:10. Apply 1 time per day, 2 drops.
How to treat conjunctivitis with bay leaves? You need to take two dry bay leaves, pour boiling water for 30 minutes. Then cool the broth and make lotions based on it. If the remedy is used to treat children, then the decoction is used only for washing the eyes.

Prevention

To prevent conjunctivitis, experts recommend following following rules prevention:

Wash your hands with soap before touching your face and eyes;
Individual towels;
In case of allergic conjunctivitis, do not be near the allergen to prevent its contact with the mucous membrane.
In the professional version, wear glasses, respirators and other protective equipment.

People experience conjunctivitis of the eyes different ages, and each patient’s disease progresses individually. Therefore, it is very important to consult an ophthalmologist at the first signs to make an accurate diagnosis.