Beware of "red eyes" and "itchy eyes" in autumn

The 24th solar term "Liqiu" has passed, which means the summer is gone and the cool is coming, the beginning of autumn, but it does not mean that the autumn climate has arrived. The climate characteristics at this time change from hot and humid to hot and dry with wind. Such climate characteristics often make some eye diseases more likely to occur. Recently, a large number of patients with "red eyes" and "itchy eyes" have come to the outpatient clinic for treatment. The main causes are allergic conjunctivitis and "pink eye disease", and we should actively prevent them.

Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by the conjunctival mucosa of the eye

Inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by contact with allergens.

The allergens that cause allergic conjunctivitis are mostly pollen, dust, cold and damp air, dust mites, animal hair and other substances that can easily enter the eyes. Recently, allergic conjunctivitis caused by air pollution is also more common. These allergens enter the eyes, causing the mast cells of the conjunctiva to release allergenic factors such as histamine, which in turn cause the local capillaries to dilate, resulting in symptoms of redness, swelling and itching in the eyes. Patients often have a history of allergies, which may be accompanied by systemic allergic symptoms, such as nasal itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Patients feel itchy eyes, photophobia, tearing, and foreign body sensation. In severe cases, there may be conjunctival edema and red and swollen eyelids. For the treatment of allergic patients, the first thing to do is to eliminate the allergic factors. Secondly, local cold compresses can relieve symptoms. Severe cases require local application of anti-allergic eye drops and oral anti-allergic drugs.

"Pink eye" is also known as acute catarrhal conjunctivitis. This disease often occurs in spring and autumn. It is acute and occurs in both eyes at the same time or at intervals. Patients feel foreign body sensation, tearing, burning sensation, and are accompanied by eyelid swelling, conjunctival congestion, and a large amount of secretions. The treatment of "pink eye" should use sensitive antibacterial eye drops and flush the conjunctival sac with saline, while taking care to prevent cross infection.

Allergic conjunctivitis causes itchy eyes, and patients will unconsciously rub their eyes, which often induces bacterial infection and causes "pink eye disease". Although "red eyes" and "itchy eyes" are very common symptoms, the differentiation of these two diseases from other diseases also requires a detailed examination by a specialist and the scientific use of drugs under the guidance of a doctor, especially hormones and antibiotics.

Source: Beijing Third Hospital of Chinese Medicine