What is Conjunctivitis?
Inflammation of conjunctiva (Transparent membrane covering white part of the eye) is called Conjunctivitis. It is a condition where the eye turns red. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused due to allergy. The agents which cause allergies are known as allergens. Every individual is allergic to one or other substance in the environment. The most common allergens are dried grass, pollen grains etc. List of allergens are endless and individual specific. When an individual who is prone for allergy; get exposed to allergens, it causes release of some chemicals in tissue e.g. Histamines by allergy mediating cells like Mast cells. It causes itching, redness, and watering from eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious unlike the traditional red eye or infective conjunctivitis.

Symptoms and Signs of Conjunctivitis
Below we have mentioned some of the many signs of allergic conjunctivitis:
- Itching
- Watery eyes
- Redness & swelling
- Foreign body sensation
- Discomfort to light
How can it be diagnosed?
Routine examination by an eye doctor is sufficient. Some signs are very specific for allergic conjunctivitis like papillae, ropy discharge, limbal hyperplasia. To find out specific allergens, Allergy test can be done in individuals who are prone for generalized systemic allergy like asthma, eczema, Atopy etc. Otherwise, such tests are not recommended as avoidance to these allergens is practically cumbersome in routine life.
List of allergens
- Pollen grains
- Dust
- Cosmetics (Kajal, eye liners, Mascara etc)
- Smokes
- Air pollution
- Eye drops (used for longer period like Anti glaucoma drops etc.)