title: Allergic conjunctivitis.
abstract: Allergic conjunctivitis is common, especially during the allergy season. Consultation with the allergist to perform skin tests or in vitro tests may be useful and confirmatory in the diagnosis of ocular allergy. If treatment is necessary, antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are safe and reasonably effective. Corticosteroids are an order of magnitude more potent than noncorticosteroids; however, they have attendant side effects that are best monitored by the ophthalmologist. The development of "modified" corticosteroids has been a boon to the treatment of ocular allergy because these drugs may reduce potential side effects without sacrificing potency.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 90 Bergen Street, DOC Suite 4700, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bielory
authors.forename: Mitchell H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Friedlaender
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D010808:Physical Examination; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents