Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 2, 1990 TAG: 9006300323
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JANE E. BRODY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The threats range from annoying allergies and sunburn to severe vision-threatening injuries incurred during sports and other activities.
While most problems can be prevented or readily treated, many people fail to take steps to avert the dangers and fewer still know what to do when a problem arises.
Sometimes the right preventive measures or first aid and follow-up action can be sight-saving.
For other less serious problems, prompt recognition and treatment can spare you considerable discomfort.
Eyes that are red, itchy, irritated, watery and sensitive to light are often reacting to pollen and other allergens that waft on summer breezes.
While most people with allergies that affect their eyes also have upper respiratory symptoms, like sneezing and stuffy or runny nose, sometimes the eye symptoms are the only manifestation of an allergy.
Itchiness is the typical telltale sign that allergy is the likely cause of distress.
In early summer, grass and tree pollen are the usual culprits.
In late summer, ragweed is the most common cause of so-called hay fever conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the tissue that covers the whites of the eyes. If the symptoms occur all year long, consider household allergens like molds, dust or animal dander as the possible cause.
A severe allergy called vernal keratoconjunctivitis commonly afflicts youngsters, particularly boys, from the ages of 6 to 20 who have other serious familial allergies or asthma.
As its name implies, it most commonly occurs in spring and summer (and year round in warm climates).
Eyes afflicted by vernal keratoconjunctivitis are very itchy, especially toward evening, and extremely sensitive to light.
They usually produce a stringy, yellowish mucus discharge. But the classic symptom is the formation of large pimples under the upper lid. If not promptly treated, the condition can scar the cornea and threaten vision.
Wearers of contact lenses are sometimes afflicted with a similar allergic syndrome that fortunately carries no serious risk to vision.
The problem seems to stem from a buildup of allergenic or irritating proteins on the lenses.
The symptoms go away if the person stops wearing contact lenses or if a switch is made to disposable lenses, which are discarded every weeks or two.
Both mild and serious ocular allergies respond to treatment with antihistamine/decongestant eye medications, like Opcon-A and Albalon-A Liquifilm.
Cold compresses and artificial tears (non-medicated eyedrops sold over the counter) can bring temporary relief.
Daily preventive treatment with cromolyn sodium (sold by prescription as Opticrom 4 percent Ophthalmic Solution) can usually suppress the allergic reaction by coating the cells that release histamine and other irritating body chemicals.
Those with severe ocular allergy that does not respond to cromolyn sodium may require brief treatment with topical corticosteroids, which can themselves threaten vision if overused.
But topical corticosteroids should not be used if contact lenses are worn.
The ideal preventive is to avoid or reduce exposure to precipitating allergens.
by CNB