Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Donshik P, Hoss D, Ehlers W: Inflammatory and papulosquamous disorders of the skin and eye. Dermatol Clin 1992, 10:533–547.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Meenan FOC: The significance of Morgan’s fold in children with atopic dermatitis. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) 1980, 12:42–43.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Uehara M: Infra-orbital fold in atopic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol 1981, 117:627–629.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Mevorah B: Minor clinical features of atopic dermatitis: evaluation of their clinical significance. Dermatologica 1988, 177:360–364.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Nethercott JR, Nield G, Holness DL: A review of 79 cases of eyelid dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol 1989, 21:223–230.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Romaguera C, Grimalt F: Dermatitis from nickel eyelash curler. Contact Dermatitis 1985, 12:174.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Cronin E: Contact Dermatitis. New York: Churchill Livingston; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Maibach H, Engasser P, Ostler B: Upper eyelid dermatosis syndrome. Dermatol Clin 1992, 10:549–554.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Burton JL, Harrad RA: The skin and the eyes. In Textbook of Dermatology edn 6. Edited by Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG. Oxford: Blackwell Science; 1998:2975–2983.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Jenkins MS, Brown SI, Lempert SL, et al.: Ocular rosacea. Am J Ophthalmol 1979, 88:618–622.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Browning DJ, Proia AD: Ocular rosacea. Surv Ophthalmol 1986, 31:145–158.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Borrie P: Rosacea with special reference to its ocular manifestations. Br J Dermatol 1953, 65:458–463.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Stuart JA: Ocular psoriasis. Am J Ophthalmol 1963, 55:615.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Bielory L: Allergic and immunologic disorders of the eye. In Allergy Principles and Practice edn 5. Middleton E Jr, Reed CE. St. Louis: Mosby; 1998. This is an excellent and comprehensive review of the diagnosis, treatment, and pathophysiology of ocular allergic diseases.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Abelson MB, Udell IJ: Allergic and toxic reactions. In Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology edn 2. Edited by Alberts DM, Jakobiec FA. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1999. This is another excellent review of ocular allergic and toxic reactions, with more of a discussion of pathophysiologic mechanisms, inflammatory cells, and inflammatory mediators.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Bielory L, Frohman L: Allergic and immunologic disorders of the eye. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1992, 86:1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ehlers WH, Donshik PC: Allergic ocular disorders: a spectrum of diseases. CLAO J 1992, 18:117–124.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bielory L: Allergic and immunologic disorders of the eye: Part I: immunology of the eye. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000, 106:805–816.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Bielory L: Allergic and immunologic disorders of the eye: Part II: ocular allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000, 106:1019–1032.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Dart JKG, Buckley RJ, Monnickendan M, Prasad J: Perennial allergic conjunctivitis: definition, clinical characteristics and prevalence: a comparison with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K 1986, 105:513–520.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Freidlander MH, Okumuto M, Kelley J: Diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis. Arch Ophthalmol 1984, 102:1198–1199.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Friedlander MH: Allergic conjunctivitis. In Cornea: Clinical Diagnosis and Management. Edited by Krachmer JH, Mannis MJ, Holland EJ. St. Louis: Mosby; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kari O, Salo OP, Bjorksten F, et al.: Allergic conjunctivitis total and specific IgE in the tear fluid. Acta Ophthalmol 1986, 63:97–99.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sen DK, Sarin GS: Immunoglobulin concentrations in human tears in ocular diseases. Br J Ophthalmol 1979, 63:297–300.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bonini S, Bonini S, Lambiase A, et al.: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis revisited. Ophthalmology 2000, 107:1157–1163. This is a large case series of VKC patients, with an emphasis on results of long-term follow-up.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Abelson MB, Baird RS, Allansmith MR: Tear histamine levels in vernal conjunctivitis and other ocular inflammations. Ophthalmology 1980, 87:812–814.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Rapuano CJ, Luchs JI, Kim T: The Requisites in Ophthalmology: Anterior Segment. St. Louis: Mosby; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Ballow M, Donshik PC, Mendelson L, et al.: IgG specific antibodies to rye grass and ragweed pollen antigens in tear secretions of patients with vernal conjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol 1983, 95:161–168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Abelson MB, Leonardi AA, Smith LM, et al.: Histamine activity in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology 1995, 102:1958–1963.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Abelson MB, Butrus SI, Weston J: Aspirin therapy in vernal conjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol 1992, 95:502–505.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Secchi AG, Tognon MS, Leonardi A: Topical use of cyclosporine in vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol 1990, 1120:641–645.

    Google Scholar 

  32. BenEzra D, Peter J, Brosky M, et al.: Cyclosporine eye drops the treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol 1986, 101:278–282.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Bleik JH, Tabbara KF: Topical cyclosporine in vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology 1991, 98:1679–1684.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Foster CS, Cologne M: Atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology 1990, 97:992.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Tuft SJ, Kemeny DM, Dart JK, et al.: Clinical features of atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology 1991, 98:150.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Garrity JA, Liesegang TJ: Ocular complications of atopic dermatitis. Can J Ophthalmol 1984, 19:21–24.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Foster CS, Rice BA, Dutt JE: Immunopathology of atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology 1991, 98:1190.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. McGeady SJ, Buckley RH: Depression of cell-mediated immunity in atopic eczema. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1975, 56:393.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Rachelefsky GS: Defective T cell function in atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1976, 57:569.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Dermatologic preparations. In American Medical Association Drug Evaluations edn 6. Chicago: American Medical Association; 1986.

  41. Abelson MB, Richard K: What we know and don’t know about GPC. Rev Ophthalmol 1994, 1:664–665.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Greiner JV, Fowler SA, Allansmith MR: Giant papillary conjunctivitis. In Contact Lenses: The CLAO Guide to Basic Science and Clinical Practice. Edited by Dabezies OH Jr. New York: Grune & Stratton; 1984:43.1–43.16.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Allansmith MR, Korb DR, Greiner JV: Giant papillary conjunctivitis induced by hard or soft contact lenses: quantitative histology. Ophthalmology 1978, 85:766–778.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Donshik PC, Ballow M: Tear immunoglobulins in giant papillary conjunctivitis induced by contact lens. Am J Ophthalmol 1983, 96:460–466.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Wasserman SI: Mediators of immediate hypersensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1983, 72:101–115.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fonacier, L., Luchs, J. & Udell, I. Ocular allergies. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 1, 389–396 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-001-0053-z

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-001-0053-z

Keywords

Navigation