As the delicate ocular surface is exposed to a wide variety of environmental pollutants, irritants and allergens, it is perhaps not surprising that ocular allergies constitute a fairly common reason for attendance in an eye clinic. Ocular allergies can affect all age groups.

Patients with ocular allergies may also suffer from allergies in other systems – nose, lungs, skin. The term used to describe such reactions is “atopy” and describes a state where some of the cells of the body’s immune system are hyperreactive. This exaggerated cellular response results in the signs and symptoms of ocular allergy.

The predominant symptom in ocular allergy is itching. Along with this, there is swelling of the lids and conjunctiva, often redness, tearing, and sometimes a mucoid discharge. The patient tends to rub the eyes constantly and with time can develop drooping of the eyelids and difficulty in facing bright lights.

the vernal pigment sign was first described by dr.srinivas.k.rao and he published his findings in the journal(“cornea” in 2000).this is a very sensitive and specific sign for diagnosing allergic conjunctivitis-vernal catarrh.

The vernal pigment sign was first described by Dr Srinivas K Rao and he published his findings in the journal ‘Cornea’ in 2000. This is a very sensitive and specific sign for diagnosing allergic vernal conjunctivitis.

Appropriate use of medications called steroids is important in the management of ocular allergies. Excessive or unsupervised use of these medications can result in significant complications in the eye being treated. Sometimes, the allergy may be due to a local lid condition, or a response to the inappropriate use of toxic medications, and these would also need to be evaluated and treated.

In children with very advanced allergies, other treatment options, including the use of cryotherapy to the upper lid, the use of steroid injections, amniotic membrane transplants, oral therapy including immunosuppressants, and the use of an Internist may be required.