Be Aware of Eye Allergies in Children

When season changes, it may yield to the increase of particulate matter (PM). Children frequently blinking and rubbing and having runny eyes could be symptoms of eye allergy.

Parents should look out for their situation, as eye allergy could cause sleeplessness and an inability to concentrate. Especially severe cases can even result in corneal damage and loss of sight. In order to increase the awareness of eye allergies among local parents, Orbis organized a series of educational and advocacy activities from March to April. It is hoped that parents can look out to potential vision crisis behind eye allergies.

Activity (1) - Children’s Eye Allergy Survey

When Orbis surveyed over 1,000 parents of primary school pupils in 2019, we found that 80% of respondents’ children exhibited eye allergy symptoms such as eye- or nose-rubbing, pink or teary eyes and constant blinking. The situation is more serious than we expected. This March, Orbis conducted another study of 473 parents of primary school kids to assess the distress caused by such allergies. Factors evaluated by researchers included living conditions, behavioral habits, and even ways of coping with such allergies. Approximately 70% of parents interviewed believed that eye allergies were making it hard for their children to concentrate in the short term and might cause them more serious vision problems later in life.

Orbis released the survey results on April 20, 2021, which attracted local media to spread the eyecare message.

Eye Allergy Press Release

Activity (2) - Want to Learn More of Eye Allergy? Watch Our Online Talk (Full Version)!

Video in Chinese

Beware of the Six Factors That Most Likely to Cause Children's Eye Allergy

Three Eye Allergy Prevention Tips: to Reduce Allergens!

1. Vacuum more and clean more to reduce dust mites.

2. If you have cats and dogs in your home, you should clean their dander more often and reduce contact with their hair

3. Use dehumidifiers and air cleaners if needed

Do you know the answers to the following five key questions about kids’ eye allergies?

Will Eye Allergies Cause Vision Damage?

The medical name for eye allergies is "allergic conjunctivitis", a condition in which environmental allergens irritate and redden the eyes causing them to produce excess tears and become extra-sensitive to light. Many of those afflicted frequently blink and rub or scratch their eyes in an attempt to ease the discomfort. Although rare, patients with more serious cases of allergic conjunctivitis can even go on to suffer corneal damage and possible visual impairment.

Are Eye Allergies Purely Seasonal?

Allergic conjunctivitis broadly has two types: seasonal and perennial. Seasonal cases most commonly affect sufferers of hay fever and are generally due to allergic reactions to pollen or spores. The allergy’s perennial variant generally occurs as a result of exposure to allergens like house dust mite, dust and animal hair. In addition to the symptoms described, patients may also experience serious long-term discomfort because of year-round complaints such as sneezing, nasal congestion or runny noses.

Why Have My Kids Developed Eye Allergies?

If your child suffers from other medical problems such as nasal allergies, eczema or asthma after being exposed to everyday allergens such as dust, he/she will be more prone to eye allergies. Poor eyelid hygiene is another common cause of such problems in young Hongkongers.

What Should I Do if My Child Shows Symptoms of an Eye Allergy?

The simplest first step to alleviating your child’s distress is to identify potential allergen sources such as dust mites on bedding, cuddly toys or even hair from family pets such as cats or dogs, etc. Regularly cleaning your home and keeping windows open to promote the ventilation are effective ways of alleviating the problems. If your family lives in an especially polluted area, you should also consider using a household air purifier.

If your child’s eye allergy is severe, you should seek professional medical advice. Other factors taken into account for diagnosing the condition will include any family history of allergies, personal history of allergies, the living environment and daily routines. Specific types of allergic conjunctivitis require different approaches of treatment depending on each patient’s condition and clinical responses. Treatments can last anything from a few months to several years.

What Medical Treatments Are Available for Allergic Eyes?

When treating eye allergies, it is equally important to address both the symptoms and root causes. Root causes are usually dealt with by advising patients to minimize their contact with common allergens such as pollen and dust. Symptoms can then be relieved via the use of drugs to control reactions. Should serious complications arise, limited surgical treatment may be recommended.

In simple cases, artificial tears or ice compresses may be applied to dilute or wash away allergens, reduce allergic reactions and soothe the discomfort

Source: Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society Public Education Information, Orbis Volunteer Ophthalmologist

Disclaimer: The content of this website is for reference only and SHOULD NOT BE regarded as a recommendation regarding the efficacy any diagnostic/medical treatment or drug.

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