Eye Infection
As the name suggests, allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic eye infection that can take a severe form. The most common symptoms are reddish or pinkish eye with a pus like secretion accompanied with pain. The eyes may also be watery and itchy.
The paragraphs below contain detailed data on the options available for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. As a first step, you must use an eye wash, either an eye wash cup containing a sterilized saline eye washing solution or plain warm water. Tear substitutes can also help to some extent by removing the allergens from the eye. But if the eye infection is caused by bacteria or viruses then medication is required. Try not to rub both the eyes if only one is infected. You will infect the other eye too.
Various types of drugs are used for the treatment of this type of eye infection. They can be broadly categorized into 6 types based on their actions and functions. These are –
1) Topical anti-histamines
2) Corticosteroids
3) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
4) Mast cell stabilizers
5) Decongestants
6) Immunotherapy
These drugs are explained in detail below.
1) Topical anti-histamines
They can also be called as Ocular Anti-histamines. They work by restricting the action of histamines that are produced as a result of an allergen. By subduing the histamines, it is possible to get relief from symptoms, but it’s necessary to remove the allergens. However if the allergens are pathogens like bacteria and viruses then such medicines can be helpful. They relieve symptoms like swelling, redness of the cornea and reducing itching. Some types of anti-histamine eye drops can be bought over the counter but others can only use bought through prescriptions. They are mostly available as eye drops but some can also be taken orally. Anti histamines have a side effect of sedating the patients, hence nowadays, several non sedating anti-histamines are prescribed. Some of the anti-histamines used in the treatment of eye infection are – Levocetirizine (this one is not recommended for use in children below 6 years of age), Cetirizine (the most commonly prescribed and is even used in treating children), Fexofenadine, Cromolyn, Desloratadine and Loratadine (commonly prescribed along with Cetirizine). Older people who can tolerate sedatives may be prescribed the old Benadryl which is considered as a first generation anti histamine.
Eye Infection
2) Corticosteroids
They are Ocular Steroids and are used to treat eye infections. They are used in severe allergic conjunctivitis where other types of medicines are not yielding desired results. However they can cause severe side effects like cataracts, glaucoma, impairment of the vision through damage of the optic nerve and an increase in the pressure inside the eye. They must not be used if the infection is viral or if the patient is suffering from herpes. The most common steroid drug used for treating conjunctivitis is – prednisolone minims. It is used almost exclusively for allergic treatments. It’s a strong medicine hence must only be taken on the advice of an ophthalmologist. It can reduce swelling and redness. Once the curative effects are felt the drug should be reduced in dosage and withdrawn. However severe eye infections may require that you use one drop of the medicine daily. Many other types of corticosteroids may not be suitable for fighting eye infections in the form of eye drops as they can have severe side effects that can worsen the already existing infection.
3) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
The NSAIDs eye drops are considered as cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. Their best use is in limiting the eye infection and preventing its spread to the other eye if it is free of infection. They reduce the symptoms like swelling, eye redness, pain and itching. Ketorolac is perhaps the only type of NSAID used for treating eye infection as many NSAIDs have strong side effects. It is sometimes used when other types of medicines are not yielding desired results.
4) Mast cell stabilizers
These medicines are favored by a large number of doctors as a treatment for the symptoms of an eye infection. They prevent the mast cells that lie on the surface of your eye from releasing histamine that sparks off an allergic reaction. Some of the mast cell inhibitors used for treating allergic conjunctivitis are Lodoxamide, Nedocromil and some Optichrom eye drops. They are often tried first by ophthalmologists for treatment. If these fail then Olopatadine is give to relieve the symptoms. This drug is a combination of anti-histamine with mast cell inhibitor. But such drugs will work only if the allergic conjunctivitis is mild or at the beginning phase of the infection. They are not effective if the infection has progressed and has become severe.
5) Decongestants
They are used for a short period of time as a treatment for allergic conjunctivitis. An eye infection often results in enlargement in the size of blood vessels in the eye that makes the eye reddish in appearance. Decongestants constrict the size of these blood vessels. But if you use them for a long period, then you will become dependent on them. Long term use also results in a condition called conjunctivitis medicamentosa or a rebounding redness. As soon as the decongestant medication is stopped, the blood vessels dilate and become large thus making the eye redder than before. Ophthalmologists also don’t prescribe decongestants to people who suffer from glaucoma. Patients who suffer from abnormal blood pressure or have a heart condition are not prescribed this medicine. The decongestants used for treating eye infections are – pheniramine and naphazoline. The drugs using these substances may either just be decongestants or be combined with anti-histamines for better effect.
6) Immunotherapy
This treatment is especially useful in cases of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. You need to consult an immunologist to get the right kind of immune system enhancement drugs. Several immunologists will first boost immunity of their patients against local allergic factors like pollen grains, plants, insects, chemicals and other allergens prevailing in the district. This will provide some degree of immunity from allergic conjunctivitis. However it may not work for all people in the same manner. Its effectiveness depends on the individual’s abilities to handle an eye infection.
These are some of the methods used in the treatment of the eye infection allergic conjunctivitis. Though the medicines mentioned here can help relieve symptoms and treat the infection, you must take the help of an ophthalmologist or an experienced general practitioner (GP) for proper treatment. It’s always better to protect yourself from the known causes of infection rather than treat it after getting infected.