The eyelid is connected directly to the covering of the white of the eye called the conjunctiva. Allergic eye conditions may be significantly under diagnosed. The symptoms may persist long after the allergic exposure. A. Allergic eye symptoms may be seasonal, usually in the late spring or fall when pollen counts are the highest. This is common in persons with allergicrhinitis, asthma, and eczema or hay fever.
Ocular allergy comes when histamine is released from mast cells.
Pollen and dust come in contact with the mast cells of the conjunctiva producing what is called a type one hypersensitivity reaction with release of histamine and other mediators leading to inflammation. The symptoms include burning, itching, watery discharge that is often thick and is accompanied by nasal discharge and other allergic symptoms. There are many causes and types of ocular allergies. Eczema refers to an allergic eyelid inflammation, with redness, vesicles, crusts, oozing, scales, and itching of the lids. Psoriasis and seborrhea dermatitis are related conditions.