title: Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment patterns in a population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the most recently published studies on the prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis alone or in association with allergic rhinitis, and the clinical and demographic aspects of the disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Allergic conjunctivitis or conjunctival symptoms are present in 30-71% of patients with allergic rhinitis. Allergic conjunctivitis alone has been estimated in 6-30% of the general population and in up to 30% in children alone or in association with allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the most frequent form; however, studies from tertiary, ophthalmology referral centers report that the chronic forms, such as vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis, are the most frequently seen by ophthalmologists. A recent large survey performed at a national level involving 304 ophthalmologists showed that the majority of patients with allergic conjunctivitis suffer annually of few episodes of mild ,intermittent conjunctivitis. However, 30% of patients are affected by frequent episodes with intense and persistent symptoms. Treatment is frequently not appropriate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though allergic conjunctivitis is often associated to allergic rhinitis, epidemiology studies frequently do not include specific ophthalmological evaluations. An understanding of allergic conjunctivitis disease, its prevalence, demographics and treatment paradigms will provide important information towards understanding its pharmacoeconomics and burden on the national health systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castegnaro
authors.forename: Alvise La Gloria
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Valerio
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lazzarini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D044382:Population Groups; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012621:Seasons