Allergic blepharoconjunctivitis due to phenylephrine

Abstract

Acute allergic blepharoconjunctivitis with mucopurulent discharge due to phenylephrine eye drops is reported. The reaction begins 3-4 hours after drug application, persists for 12 hours and regresses gradually within 72 hours. This clinical picture occurs with a phenylephrine concentration as low as 0.1%. Conjunctival biopsy of the inflamed eyes reveals marked infiltration by lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophiles, without predominance of any of these cells.