Allergic and immunologic disorders of the eye. Part II: ocular allergy

Abstract

Allergy affects more than 15% of the world population, and some studies have shown that up 30% of the US population has some form of allergy. Most of these patients have various target organs for their allergies, and most have ocular involvement. The ocular component may be the most prominent and sometimes disabling feature of their allergy. Some are affected for only a few weeks to months, whereas others have symptoms that last throughout the year. The seasonal forms may present to clinical allergists, whereas the more chronic forms may present to ophthalmologists. Thus, in the second of this 2-part review series (Part I: Ocular Immunology appeared in the November issue of the Journal), an overview is provided of the spectrum of ocular allergy that ranges from acute seasonal allergic conjunctivitis to chronic variants of atopic keratoconjunctivitis. With a better understanding of the immunologic mechanisms, we now can develop better treatment approaches and design further research in intervention of allergic eye diseases.