General EYE ADVICE

Allergies and Infections

Allergies in children are generally known to peak around early adolescence. Apart from the common low to moderate allergic conjunctivitis, some children also suffer from a more severe type of allergic conjunctivitis that often affects the cornea as well as the conjunctiva i.e. vernal kerato-conjunctivitis. Its causes are often air-borne pollen or dust-mites, animal hair etc. These allergies generally subside or are much improved by the end of adolescence.

Infections of the conjunctiva can develop more readily in the presence of allergy. They can occur as a result of direct contamination to the eye from external sources, such as swimming pools or when the eyes are rubbed. Infections can also stem from the sinuses or nasal passages, which are more prone to infection in the presence of inflammation due to allergy or any type of irritant such as vehicle emission pollution, smoke, dust etc.

The nasal passages or sinuses are the principal chronic sources of infection to the eyes. This is the main cause of the commonly seen chronic infective conjunctivitis. More acute eye infections can also develop in the presence of acute sinusitis. Another source of infection can be the lid margins. When the base of the lashes is infected, a mild crusting or dandruff-like appearance can develop and is termed blepharitis. This condition is often caused by chronic rubbing of the eyes especially in response to symptoms of irritation from a pre-existent conjunctivitis.

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