Editing Allergic conjunctivitis (section)

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| caption         = Illustration of allergic conjunctivitis
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'''Allergic conjunctivitis''' ('''AC''') is [[Allergic Inflammation|inflammation]] of the [[conjunctiva]] (the [[membrane]] covering the white part of the eye) due to [[allergy]].<ref name="Bielory">{{cite journal |vauthors=Bielory L, Friedlaender MH | title = Allergic conjunctivitis | journal = Immunol Allergy Clin North Am | volume = 28 | issue = 1 | pages = 43–58, vi |date=February 2008 | pmid = 18282545 | doi = 10.1016/j.iac.2007.12.005 | s2cid = 34371872 }}</ref> Although [[allergen]]s differ among patients, the most common cause is [[hay fever]]. Symptoms consist of redness (mainly due to [[vasodilation]] of the peripheral small [[blood vessel]]s), [[edema]] (swelling) of the conjunctiva, [[itch]]ing, and increased [[lacrimation]] (production of [[tears]]). If this is combined with [[rhinitis]], the condition is termed '''allergic rhinoconjunctivitis''' ('''ARC''').

The symptoms are due to release of [[histamine]] and other active substances by [[mast cell]]s, which stimulate dilation of blood vessels, irritate [[nerve ending]]s, and increase secretion of tears.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is by avoiding the allergen (''e.g.'', avoiding grass in bloom during "hay fever season") and treatment with [[antihistamine]]s, either topical (in the form of [[eye drop]]s), or systemic (in the form of tablets). Antihistamines, medications that stabilize mast cells, and [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]]s (NSAIDs) are generally safe and usually effective.<ref name="Ono"/>