Know the causes of eye allergies

Allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body to contact with an innocuous substance. When we say allergy, we mean an allergy in the body. But like allergies in the body, allergies in the eyes also occur. Allergy is a very well-known eye disease. Eye allergies can range from mild to severe. This disease can occur at any age from childhood to old age. The symptoms of this disease are usually itchy eyes, watering, photophobia, redness of the eyes, etc.

Although the initial symptoms do not cause vision loss, they can be very distressing. The symptoms of this disease tend to increase with the seasons. Long-term disease can lead to serious complications, such as vision loss, cataracts, high eye pressure, and eyelid deformities.

 

Causes of allergies: Environmental factors are the main cause of eye allergies. However, there is definitely a genetic influence. Due to which some people are affected and some are not affected even by being in the same environment. The thing that causes this abnormal reaction in the eyes when exposed to it is called an allergen. There are about 800 types of allergens in nature. Allergens are generally of two types - external and internal. External allergens are the main cause of allergies. Internal allergens include - bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasitic infections. External allergens are generally of four types. Allergens that enter the body through breathing include - flower or grass pollen, house or street dust, various animal dander, etc. Allergens that enter the body through food include - beef, duck eggs, hilsa fish, shrimp, eggplant, etc. Drugs that cause eye allergies include - gentamicin and neomycin. Apart from this, many people use cosmetics and kajal to enhance the beauty of the eyes. This also causes an annoying disease like eye allergy. Many insect bites can also cause eye allergy. Many people are also allergic to extreme cold and extreme heat.

 

Types of allergies:
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
Perennial allergic conjunctivitis.
Atopic keratoconjunctivitis.
Atopic blepharoconjunctivitis.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis.

 

The most common allergy we are familiar with is seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. It usually occurs in the spring. It is usually less severe. Itchy eyes, runny nose, and some coughing may also occur. Symptoms usually resolve spontaneously with the end of spring. Perineal allergic conjunctivitis occurs at any time of the year. But symptoms vary. Atopic kerato-conjunctivitis is usually associated with dermatitis, eczema, and asthma. The complications of this disease are many. This disease can cause opacity of the cornea and cataracts, which are one of the causes of blindness. Vernal kerato-conjunctivitis usually occurs in children and adolescents, and boys are more affected. Symptoms gradually resolve after the age of fourteen. But if the affected condition is not treated in time, it can lead to permanent amblyopia, due to which the vision never returns to normal. If a child has an allergy in the eyes, he should be under the supervision of an ophthalmologist. Many times, it is seen that steroid medicines have been used for a long time on the advice of a skilled doctor or an inexperienced doctor. This causes high pressure in the eyes (glaucoma), which is another cause of permanent blindness. Therefore, steroid medicines should not be used without the advice of a specialist doctor.

 

Treatment and Remedy: Treatment is the key in treating allergies. One thing we should remember is that not all of the above allergens may apply to everyone. Different people are affected by different allergens. Let's say, one person is allergic to beef, while another is allergic to Hilsa fish. So the sufferer has to find out what the allergy is. Accordingly, the responsible ingredient should be eliminated. Sunglasses should be used to protect against dust. One should stay away from pollen.

Author: Dr. Md. Shafiul Islam Prodhan