Abstract

MASHIGE, Khathutshelo Percy. Ocular allergy. Health SA Gesondheid (Online) [online]. 2017, vol.22, pp.112-122. ISSN 2071-9736.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hsag.2016.07.001.

AIM: To systematically review relevant literature investigating the classification and nomenclature, epidemiology and pathophysiological mechanisms, as well as diagnosis and treatment of ocular allergy. METHOD: The Medline, PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases were used to search for evidence-based literature on ocular allergy. Main outcome measures: Classification and nomenclature, epidemiology and pathophysio-logical mechanisms, diagnosis and management of ocular allergy. RESULTS: The search retrieved 5200 number of studies of which 6 met the criteria. CONCLUSIONS: While numerous studies regarding pharmacological and immunological research have identified new treatment options, there is a dearth of clinical studies to discover the biomarkers and immune therapeutic management to control sensitisation and effector phases of this condition. Given the complexity of this condition due to the multifactorial nature of the possible aetiologies, rigorous well-designed scientific studies are needed to determine the exact classification, prevalence and underlying immune pathological processes of ocular allergy.

Keywords : Ocular allergy; Perennial conjunctivitis; Allergic conjunctivitis; Atopic keratoconjunctivitis; Vernal keratoconjunctivitis; Giant papillary conjunctivitis.

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