Allergic conjunctivitis medical therapy: Difference between revisions
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{{Allergic conjunctivitis}} | {{Allergic conjunctivitis}} | ||
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==Overview== | |||
Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is by avoiding the allergen (e.g. avoiding grass in bloom during the "hay fever season") and treatment with [[antihistamine]]s, either topical (in the form of [[eye drop]]s), or systemic (in the form of tablets). Antihistamines, medication that stabilizes mast cells, and [[non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs) are safe and usually effective.<ref name="Ono"/> | |||
==Medical Therapy== | ==Medical Therapy== | ||
Antihistamines, medication that stabilizes mast cells, and [[non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs) are safe and usually effective. [[Corticosteroid]]s are reserved for more severe cases of ocular allergy disease, and their use should be monitored by an eye care physician due to possible side-effects. When an [[allergen]] is identified, the patient should avoid the allergen as much as possible. | Antihistamines, medication that stabilizes mast cells, and [[non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs) are safe and usually effective. [[Corticosteroid]]s are reserved for more severe cases of ocular allergy disease, and their use should be monitored by an eye care physician due to possible side-effects. When an [[allergen]] is identified, the patient should avoid the allergen as much as possible. | ||
Revision as of 18:02, 13 March 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is by avoiding the allergen (e.g. avoiding grass in bloom during the "hay fever season") and treatment with antihistamines, either topical (in the form of eye drops), or systemic (in the form of tablets). Antihistamines, medication that stabilizes mast cells, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are safe and usually effective.[1]
Medical Therapy
Antihistamines, medication that stabilizes mast cells, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are safe and usually effective. Corticosteroids are reserved for more severe cases of ocular allergy disease, and their use should be monitored by an eye care physician due to possible side-effects. When an allergen is identified, the patient should avoid the allergen as much as possible.
If the allergen is encountered and the symptoms are mild, a cold compress can be used to provide relief. It is a quick and easy solution without using any medications. The cold temperature of the water will help to bring down swelling, as it would in a bruise or burn. In addition, there are many antihistamine medications available for purchase.
Mast cell stabilizers can help curing patients with allergic conjunctivitis when cold compress are no longer effective. They tend to have delayed results, but they have fewer side-effects than the other treatments and last much longer than those of antihistamines. Some patients are given an antihistamine at the same time so that there is some relief of symptoms before the mast cell stabilizers becomes effective. Doctors commonly prescribe lodoxamide and nedocromil as mast cell stabilizers, which come as eye drops.
A mast cell stabilizer is a class of non-steroid controller medicine that reduces the release of inflammation-causing chemicals from mast cells. They block a calcium channel essential for mast cell degranulation, stabilizing the cell, thus preventing the release of histamine. Decongestants may also be prescribed. Another common mast cell stabilizer that is used for treating allergic conjunctivitis is sodium cromoglicate.
Antihistamine medications are frequently prescribed because they provide immediate relief from the itch and burning symptoms.
Dual-action medications are also prescribed frequently. Olopatadine (Patanol)[2] and Ketotifen Fumarate (Alaway or Zaditor)[3] both provide protection by acting as an antihistamine and a mast cell stabilizer together. Patanol is a prescription medication, whereas Ketotifen Fumarate is not.
It is mandatory that the patients not use anything besides clean, warm water until visiting their doctors. Many of the eye drops can cause burning and stinging, and usually nearly all medications have side-effects. Therefore, patients are strongly recommended to first talk to their doctors before using any type of medication.
Individuals prone to developing allergenic conjunctivitis may prevent getting the condition by having proper eye hygiene, especially if wearing contact lenses. People allergic to pollen or mold are also advised to stay indoors when allergen levels are high. Allergic persons are recommended to keep the doors and windows closed and use air conditioners during the summer months to prevent developing allergic conjunctivitis.
References
- ↑
- ↑ Rosenwasser LJ, O'Brien T, Weyne J (2005). "Mast cell stabilization and anti-histamine effects of olopatadine ophthalmic solution: a review of pre-clinical and clinical research". Curr Med Res Opin. 21 (9): 1377–87. doi:10.1185/030079905X56547. PMID 16197656. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Avunduk AM, Tekelioglu Y, Turk A, Akyol N (2005). "Comparison of the effects of ketotifen fumarate 0.025% and olopatadine HCl 0.1% ophthalmic solutions in seasonal allergic conjunctivities: a 30-day, randomized, double-masked, artificial tear substitute-controlled trial". Clin Ther. 27 (9): 1392–402. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2005.09.013. PMID 16291412. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help)