Ocular allergies: Association with immune dermatitis

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the type of skin involvement that patients with ocular allergies are prone to suffer due to the atopic association of the condition. Methods: Review of the published literature and retrospective data from our patient series. Results: Patients with ocular allergies may have skin affected with one or several combinations of the following dermatologic problems: contact dermatitis, urticaria/angioedema, and atopic dermatitis, with secondary infections as a possible consequence of this later disorder. Other rare skin disorders have been occasionally reported in association with ocular atopy. Conclusion: Patients with ocular allergies may have a spectrum of 'allergic' skin problems, the most severe of which is atopic dermatitis. Ocular surface involvement in atopic dermatitis should be diagnosed as atopic keratoconjunctivitis, a sight-threatening disorder, until proven otherwise.