Developments in ocular allergy.

Author(s): Chambless SL, Trocme S

Affiliation(s): Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA.

Publication date & source: 2004-10, Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol., 4(5):431-4.

Publication type: Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The goal of this article is to evaluate developments in the knowledge of inflammatory mechanisms and treatments of ocular allergy. RECENT FINDINGS: Research developments in ocular allergy summarized in this article include the following findings: (1) ocular epithelial cells play a role in inflammation; (2) respiratory syncytial virus is a pathogen in allergic conjunctivitis; (3) transglutaminase inhibitors reverse allergic related inflammation; (4) eosinophils and neutrophils both play a role in ocular allergy; (5) eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-2 play a role in eosinophilic recruitment; and (6) loteprednol etabonate, desonide phosphate, and cyclosporine have been shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of ocular allergy. SUMMARY: This article summarizes the research conducted for each of the above recent findings and outlines their clinical applications.