Thus, we can have acute allergic conjunctivitis, with a rapid response to a known (or unknown) allergen, such as cat dander. We can also have seasonal conjunctivitis, which appears more in spring and fall (hay fever conjunctivitis), and is usually triggered by pollen from trees or grasses, present during these times of the year. They are more frequent when there is more pollen in the air on hot, dry or windy days. We can also have perennial allergic conjunctivitis, also known as chronic allergic conjunctivitis, which can manifest itself all year round and can be caused by allergens present indoors, such as dust, mites or animal dander.

But there are forms of eye allergy that are more serious than these and can affect not only the conjunctiva, but also the cornea, causing allergic keratoconjunctivitis that can be more disabling. One example is vernal keratoconjunctivitis. The cornea can be affected, with ulcers, and the eyelid has papillae on its inner surface. It is more common in male children (aged 5 to 20) who may also have asthma, eczema and seasonal allergies. It can reappear every spring (there is more pollen in the air) and disappear in the fall and winter and many children outgrow the disease by the time they reach adulthood. Another example of a more serious form of eye allergy is atopic keratoconjunctivitis, which appears in people with a genetic predisposition to atopic reactions and who may also have asthma or atopic dermatitis. Environmental allergens can aggravate the symptoms, but they don't vary with the seasons. Kertoconjunctivitis can also appear in contact lens wearers (allergic conjunctivitis with giant papillae) as a result of a reaction to the saline solutions used, or be due to prolonged or unhygienic use of the lenses.

There are general measures that can help prevent eye allergies and that we should take into account. The most important are:

Avoid allergens that we know can affect us, which can include pollen, dust mites, animal hair, chemicals, certain foods, personal care products and others.
Maintaining good eyelid hygiene can help reduce exposure to allergens.
Wash your hands frequently, clean household surfaces regularly and avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands.
Avoid environments with smoke, polluted air or eye-irritating chemicals.
Use high-efficiency air conditioning filters at home to reduce the amount of allergens in the air.
Each type of allergic conjunctivitis may require specific treatment approaches depending on the severity of the symptoms and the individual needs of each person. However, there are some approaches that are common and can be considered:

Applying cold compresses to closed eyes can provide temporary relief from itching and discomfort.
Using preservative-free artificial tears can help relieve the foreign body sensation and irritation caused by allergic conjunctivitis and remove allergens from the eyes.
The use of more specific medications such as vasoconstrictors, antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers in eye drops may be necessary to relieve symptoms. Oral antihistamines can be useful for controlling systemic symptoms. In more severe cases, corticosteroids and even immunotherapy may be necessary. It's important to consult an ophthalmologist to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. But even more important is to apply preventive measures to reduce the risk of allergies.