Seasonal and Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis

Introduction

Allergies are some of the most common medical conditions in the world. Allergic conjunctivitis is a condition characterized by eye watering, redness, and itching. Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis can range from mild to highly bothersome though not permanently reducing vision. The condition is divided into two categories based on the timing of symptoms. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis occurs in response to outdoor allergens, which peak at certain times of year, whereas perennial allergic conjunctivitis occurs as a result of a year round, usually indoor, allergen. Allergic conjunctivitis affects children and young adults more severely than older adults. There is no strong gender predilection. Geographically it is more prevalent in developed parts of the world. The overall estimated prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis is about 15%–20%, with some reporting as high as 40% of the US population. ^, The exact number is difficult to define since many sufferers do not seek out professional care for allergic conjunctivitis and rely on self-diagnosis and over-the-counter treatments. The overall cost of allergic conjunctivitis is high, with a reported 6 billion dollars spent on treatment annually in the United States without accounting for the loss of economic productivity due to the illness. Up to 10 million workdays are missed in aggregate annually due to allergic symptoms.