BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuVernal conjunctivitisVernal conjunctivitis is long-term (chronic) swelling (inflammation) of the outer lining of the eyes. It is due to an allergic reaction.Allergic reactionThe conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Vernal conjunctivitis often occurs in people with a strong family history of allergies. These may include allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema. It is most common in young males, and most often occurs during the spring and summer.Allergic rhinitisAllergic rhinitis is a diagnosis associated with a group of symptoms affecting the nose. These symptoms occur when you breathe in something you are ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms include:Burning eyes. Burning eyesEye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Discomfort in bright light (photophobia). PhotophobiaPhotophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Itching eyes. Itching eyesEye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The area around the cornea where the white of the eye and the cornea meet (limbus) may become rough and swollen. The inside of the eyelids (most often the upper ones) may become rough and covered with bumps and a white mucus. Watering eyes. Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform an eye exam. Treatment Avoid allergy triggers (allergens).Avoid rubbing the eyes because this can irritate them more.Cold compresses (a clean cloth soaked in cold water and then placed over the closed eyes) may be soothing.Lubricating drops may also help soothe the eye.If home-care measures do not help, you may need to be treated by your provider. Treatment may include:Antihistamine or anti-inflammatory drops that are placed into the eye Eye drops that prevent a type of white blood cell called mast cells from releasing histamine (may help prevent future attacks) Mild steroids that are applied directly to the surface of the eye (for severe reactions)Cyclosporine 0.1% eye drops contain a mild form of the immune-suppressing medicine and may help treat acute episodes of vernal conjunctivitis. They may also help prevent recurrences. Outlook (Prognosis) The condition continues over time (is chronic). It gets worse during certain seasons of the year, most often in the spring and summer. Treatment may provide relief. Possible Complications Complications may include:Continuing discomfort Reduced vision Scarring of cornea When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if your symptoms continue or get worse. Prevention Using air conditioning or moving to a cooler climate may help prevent the problem from getting worse in the future.Open ReferencesReferencesBarney NP. Allergic and immunologic diseases of the eye. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 38.Cho CB, Boguniewicz M, Sicherer SH. Ocular allergies. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 172.Nehls SM. Vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis. In: Mannis MJ, Holland EJ, eds. Cornea. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 43.Rubenstein JB, Patel P. Allergic conjunctivitis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 4.7.Yucel OE, Ulus ND. Efficacy and safety of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% in vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Singapore Med J. 2016;57(9):507-510. PMID: 26768065 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26768065/.AllVideoImagesTogEye - illustration The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or white of the eye, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.EyeillustrationEye - illustration The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or white of the eye, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.EyeillustrationRelated Information Conjunctivitis or pink eye(Condition) Review Date: 1/29/2024 Reviewed By: Audrey Tai, DO, MS, Athena Eye Care, Mission Viejo, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Vernal conjunctivitisVernal conjunctivitis is long-term (chronic) swelling (inflammation) of the outer lining of the eyes. It is due to an allergic reaction.Allergic reactionThe conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Vernal conjunctivitis often occurs in people with a strong family history of allergies. These may include allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema. It is most common in young males, and most often occurs during the spring and summer.Allergic rhinitisAllergic rhinitis is a diagnosis associated with a group of symptoms affecting the nose. These symptoms occur when you breathe in something you are ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms include:Burning eyes. Burning eyesEye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Discomfort in bright light (photophobia). PhotophobiaPhotophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Itching eyes. Itching eyesEye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The area around the cornea where the white of the eye and the cornea meet (limbus) may become rough and swollen. The inside of the eyelids (most often the upper ones) may become rough and covered with bumps and a white mucus. Watering eyes. Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform an eye exam. Treatment Avoid allergy triggers (allergens).Avoid rubbing the eyes because this can irritate them more.Cold compresses (a clean cloth soaked in cold water and then placed over the closed eyes) may be soothing.Lubricating drops may also help soothe the eye.If home-care measures do not help, you may need to be treated by your provider. Treatment may include:Antihistamine or anti-inflammatory drops that are placed into the eye Eye drops that prevent a type of white blood cell called mast cells from releasing histamine (may help prevent future attacks) Mild steroids that are applied directly to the surface of the eye (for severe reactions)Cyclosporine 0.1% eye drops contain a mild form of the immune-suppressing medicine and may help treat acute episodes of vernal conjunctivitis. They may also help prevent recurrences. Outlook (Prognosis) The condition continues over time (is chronic). It gets worse during certain seasons of the year, most often in the spring and summer. Treatment may provide relief. Possible Complications Complications may include:Continuing discomfort Reduced vision Scarring of cornea When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if your symptoms continue or get worse. Prevention Using air conditioning or moving to a cooler climate may help prevent the problem from getting worse in the future.Open ReferencesReferencesBarney NP. Allergic and immunologic diseases of the eye. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 38.Cho CB, Boguniewicz M, Sicherer SH. Ocular allergies. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 172.Nehls SM. Vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis. In: Mannis MJ, Holland EJ, eds. Cornea. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 43.Rubenstein JB, Patel P. Allergic conjunctivitis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 4.7.Yucel OE, Ulus ND. Efficacy and safety of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% in vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Singapore Med J. 2016;57(9):507-510. PMID: 26768065 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26768065/.