The Direction of Specific Efforts with Allergic Conjunctival Diseases in Japan

Allergic conjunctival diseases include allergic conjunctivitis and spring catarrh (vernal conjunctivitis). The immediate phase of the type I allergic reaction is the essence of the pathology and etiologic mechanism of allergic conjunctivitis, whereas the late phase of the type I allergic reaction is considered to be involved in those of spring catarrh. The use of anti-allergic eye drops is the first-line therapy for allergic conjunctivitis. In cases of pollen allergy, initial therapy with eye drops is effective for relieving symptoms that occur in the pollen season and for reducing the duration of continuing symptoms. If antiallergic eye drop therapy fails to eliminate symptoms, lowconcentration steroid eye drops should be combined. Although the basic treatment of spring catarrh also uses antiallergic eye drops, treatment of severe cases should begin with a combination of an antiallergenic, steroid, and cyclosporin eye drops, with the concentration and frequency of steroid instillation being gradually reduced as symptoms improve. Self-care is also useful in relieving symptoms in patients with allergic conjunctival disease. A recommended form of self-care is eye washing with artificial tears.