Urban eye allergy syndrome: a new clinical entity?
BACKGROUND
A significant number of patients present with conjunctivitis that is not strictly speaking of allergic, infectious, or dry eye origin. Patients affected by this pseudo-allergic form of vasomotor or idiopathic conjunctivitis usually live in urban polluted areas and may be affected by a new clinical entity called the 'urban eye allergy syndrome'.


METHODS
To identify the incidence, pathogenesis and therapeutic response of this condition by collecting from the literature experimental evidence on the relationship between air pollution, allergy, and conjunctival disease.


RESULTS
Allergen susceptibility might be increased in areas with increased air pollutants. Both allergens and pollutants can directly initiate specific and nonspecific mucosal inflammation through several interweaving mechanisms.


CONCLUSIONS
The present commentary introduces the concept of 'urban eye allergy syndrome' discussing inter-actions between air pollutants and pollens, the increase of allergic signs and symptoms by pollutants, the prevalence of urban allergy, preliminary data from a single restricted geographical area, and proposed mechanisms of action.
Leonardi
Andrea
A
Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Italy. andrea.leonardi@unipd.it
Lanier
Bob
B
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D014505:Urban Population
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens