Allergic conjunctivitis epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujaya Chattopadhyay, M.D.[2]

Overview

Allergic conjunctivitis exhibits distinct epidemiological and demographic characteristics based on the populations studied and the presence of comorbid conditions. Females are more affected and children often have other co-existent allergic diseases. Intermittent episodes are common, with the chronic forms more encountered in clinical practice.

A prevalence of 15-20% is seen in studies performed on older population, but more recent studies estimate rates as high as 40%^[1].
The age-sex adjusted prevalence was as high as 70.5% in a study conducted in Saudi Arabia, which did not show any variation of risk of the disease with age group. However, females were affected more frequently than males^[2].
Most children with allergic conjunctivitis also suffer from allergic rhinitis. Ocular allergies may even supersede the primary complaints of nasal congestion^[1].
Although seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the most frequent form, the chronic forms, such as vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis, are the ones more commonly encountered by ophthalmologists^[3].
Most of the patients with allergic conjunctivitis suffer few mild ,intermittent episodes on an annual basis. However, 30% of patients experience intense and persistent symptoms^[3].
Treatment is frequently inappropriate^[3].