Eye-related conditions in children frequently are the result of allergies. Allergies affect the eyes because the mucous membrane covering the front of the eye and the inner eyelid (conjunctiva) contains an estimated 50 million mast cells. These are the cells that release histamine and other chemicals that trigger symptoms of an allergic reaction. Both indoor (e.g., pet dander, dust mites) and outdoor allergens (e.g., pollen, mold) can cause eye-related conditions.

Children experience many of the same eye-related conditions as adults. Some eye-related conditions, such as vernal conjunctivitis, affect children far more often than adults.

To form an effective treatment plan, a physician will need to accurately diagnose whether a child’s eye-related condition stems from an allergic or nonallergic source. Parents who can present an accurate and complete account of a child’s symptoms will greatly aid in this process.