title: [Allergic conjunctivitis].
abstract: The eye reacts to foreign substances through a variety of specific and non-specific defense mechanisms. Constantly exposed to a great variety of microorganisms, the eye is capable of protecting itself without altering its own structure and function. Its resistance relies upon anatomic and physiological properties of its external components (eyelids, tears, conjunctiva and cornea). Most of the times, the conjunctiva becomes affected, resulting in a clinical picture of conjunctivitis where allergy predominates, expressed as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis and flictenular conjunctivitis. The physiopathology is considered to be of type I reaction (IgE mediated). Frequent complains often associated with other allergic diseases are: pruritus, tearing, photofobia and ocular redness. The diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis in done by means of a throughout clinical history, conjunctival citology and evaluation of specific IgE with immediate skin tests. Treatment is symptomatic (antihistamines, antibiotics and/or topic steroids), but prevention (environmental control and sodium cromoglycate) and specific immunotherapy must be considered.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, D.F.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Del Río-Navarro
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sienra-Monge
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castellanos
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Williams-Gotti
mesh_terms: D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D005123:Eye / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena
vernacular_title: Conjuntivitis alérgica.