{"id":1823,"date":"2026-10-20T08:52:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-glossary\/eye-allergy\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:56:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:56:45","slug":"eye-allergy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-glossary\/eye-allergy\/","title":{"rendered":"Eye Allergy (Allergic Conjunctivitis): Symptoms, Causes and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
  2. Knowledge centre<\/a><\/li>
  3. Eye glossary A\u2013Z<\/a><\/li>
  4. Eye Allergy (Allergic Conjunctivitis): Symptoms, Causes and Treatment<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Eye Allergy (Allergic Conjunctivitis): Symptoms, Causes and Treatment<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Medically reviewed by {{surgeon}}<\/span><\/strong>, {{surgeon’s title and specialty}}<\/span>, on {{review date}}<\/span>. Last updated {{date}}<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \"Illustration<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
    \n\t\t<\/svg>Definition<\/span>\n\t\t\t

    Eye allergy<\/strong> (noun; medical name: allergic conjunctivitis)<\/em>: an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear membrane over the white of the eye and inside the eyelids, set off when the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance such as pollen, dust, mould or pet dander. It causes itchy, red, watery, swollen eyes, usually in both eyes, and it is not contagious. Most cases are controlled by avoiding triggers and using eye drops; severe or persistent cases need an eye doctor. This page is reviewed by our cornea specialist, Do\u00e7. Dr. Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer (“Do\u00e7.” means Associate Professor).<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Eye allergy: key facts<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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    <\/svg>Medical name<\/span><\/dt>
    Allergic conjunctivitis (the more severe forms are called vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Main symptom<\/span><\/dt>
    Itching, with red, watery, swollen eyes; often both eyes at once<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Common triggers<\/span><\/dt>
    Pollen (grass, trees, ragweed), dust, pet dander, mould, smoke<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Contagious?<\/span><\/dt>
    No. It does not spread from person to person<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Usual first steps<\/span><\/dt>
    Avoid the trigger, cool compresses, artificial tears, antihistamine or mast-cell-stabiliser drops<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Biggest risk to avoid<\/span><\/dt>
    Rubbing the eyes, which can damage the cornea<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Specialist<\/span><\/dt>
    Ophthalmologist; at Laser Istanbul Clinic, corneal complications are the field of Do\u00e7. Dr. Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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    \"Illustration<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
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    What causes an eye allergy?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    An eye allergy happens when the eye’s immune system reacts to an allergen as if it were a threat. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), mast cells in the eye then release histamine and other substances, and these cause the itching, redness and watering. In the common seasonal and year-round forms, the reaction is IgE-mediated: the allergen binds to IgE antibodies on mast cells, which burst and release histamine (EyeWiki).<\/p>\n

    The usual triggers are:<\/p>\n