I finally went to the ophthalmologist to treat allergic conjunctivitis.

The fine dust was extremely severe before Lunar New Year. I wore a mask and also put on glasses, but in the end, my eyes became very bloodshot and irritated. Eventually, I went to an ophthalmologist and was diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis, and I am sharing my treatment experience.

 

What is allergic conjunctivitis?

 

An allergen that causes an allergic reaction has come into contact with the conjunctiva.

 

What are the causes of allergic conjunctivitis?

 

Allergens are quite diverse. They include pollen, grass, food, soap, cosmetics, dust mites, house dust, mold, and fine dust, among others.

 

3. What are the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?

 

Itchy eyes and around the eyes, redness, pain, tears, and swelling may occur. My symptoms included severe eye redness, a sensation of the eye about to pop out, and stiffness.

 

4. What is the treatment for allergic conjunctivitis?

 

First of all, it is important to block the cause of allergy itself. My main cause was fine dust, so the first step was to minimize going outside as much as possible. Then, I used the prescribed steroid eye drops, Humeron, four times a day, and also applied artificial tear drops, HyalOne, six times a day without fail. It definitely started to improve more when I used the steroid eye drops compared to just using artificial tears.

 

 

5. What are the preventive measures for allergic conjunctivitis on days with heavy fine dust?

 

The fine dust will likely continue to be present on days with severe air pollution. If you have experienced allergic conjunctivitis due to fine dust once, be cautious of recurrence. On days with heavy fine dust, avoid going outside as much as possible, and if you must go out, be sure to wear a mask and glasses. After returning indoors, discard the mask you used and clean your glasses. Wash your clothes and take a shower. Keep the air purifier running at all times and maintain the humidity at around 40%. If your eyes feel dry or you notice early symptoms after going outside, apply a cold compress. Using a cold wet cloth or cooling artificial tears can help.

 

I learned about allergic conjunctivitis. I also have rhinitis, so I think there's a high chance it will recur in the future, and I should always pay attention to preventive measures. Let's make sure to protect our eye health from now on!