antigen processing and presentation of antigen to the uncommitted T lymphocytes.

Immunotherapy has been successful in treating allergic conjunctivitis and may alter the progression of other atopic conditions [71].

Summary

Allergic conjunctivitis is common, especially during the allergy season. Ocular symptoms are usually accompanied by nasal symptoms, and there may be other allergic events in the patient’s history that support the diagnosis of ocular allergy. Diagnostic tests can be helpful, especially conjunctival scrapings, to look for eosinophils. Consultation with the allergist to perform skin tests or in vitro tests may be useful and confirmatory in the diagnosis of ocular allergy. Symptoms may be mild, and many patients do not require treatment. If treatment is necessary, several antiallergic drugs are available. The selection of an antiallergic drug is based on the patient’s need and a determination of which drug is well tolerated and most e ective. Various antiallergic drugs are available for the eye. Antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, and NSAIDs are safe and reasonably e ective. Corticosteroids are an order of magnitude more potent than noncorticosteroids; however, they have attendant side e ects that are best monitored by the ophthalmologist. The development of modified corticosteroids has been a boon to the treatment of ocular allergy because these drugs may reduce potential side e ects without sacrificing potency.

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