The key difference between allergic conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis is that allergic conjunctivitis is a type of conjunctivitis caused by allergens and irritants such as pollen, dust, and mold, while viral conjunctivitis is a type of conjunctivitis caused due to viral infection.
Conjunctivitis is known as the inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. Allergies or infections can cause it. There are five main types of conjunctivitis such as viral, bacterial, allergic, toxic, and nonspecific.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Allergic Conjunctivitis
3. What is Viral Conjunctivitis
4. Similarities – Allergic Conjunctivitis and Viral Conjunctivitis
5. Allergic Conjunctivitis vs Viral Conjunctivitis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Allergic Conjunctivitis vs Viral Conjunctivitis
What is Allergic Conjunctivitis?
Allergic conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva due to allergens and irritants such as pollen, dust, and mold. Conjunctiva is the tissue that covers the inside of the eyelids. It also covers the white part of the eyeball. Allergic conjunctivitis is grouped into two types: seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and perennial allergic conjunctivitis. The seasonal form of allergic conjunctivitis is associated with seasonal allergies such as exposure to pollen, grass, and other airborne allergens that occur in the spring, summer months, and fall, while perennial form allergic conjunctivitis is associated with indoor allergens such as animal dander, dust, and mold spores and occur throughout the year. The symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis may include intense itching, an urge to rub eyes, red eyes, water and white discharge from the eye, swollen eyelids, a runny or itchy nose, or sneezing.
Figure 01: Allergic Conjunctivitis
Moreover, allergic conjunctivitis can be diagnosed through a review of symptoms, an eye examination, specific blood tests, or skin tests. Furthermore, treatments for allergic conjunctivitis may include cold compress, artificial tears, anti-allergy eye drops, allergy immune therapy, and personal care measures such as avoiding allergens, washing the face after exposure to environmental allergens such as dust or pollen, bathing before bedtime, keeping contact lenses clean, and changing contact solution daily.
What is Viral Conjunctivitis?
Viral conjunctivitis is one type of pink eye. It can be caused by viruses such as adenoviruses, rubella virus, rubeola (measles) virus, herpes viruses, and picornaviruses such as coxsackievirus A24 and enterovirus 70. Patients who suffer from viral conjunctivitis may present with sudden onset foreign body sensations, red eyes, itching, light sensitivity, burning sensation, watery discharges from the eye, and ocular irritation.
Figure 02: Viral Conjunctivitis
Moreover, viral conjunctivitis can be diagnosed through the patient history, symptoms, an examination of the eye, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), and office-based immunodiagnostic tests. Furthermore, viral conjunctivitis can be treated through artificial tears, cold compresses, antihistamines, and antiviral medications.
What are the Similarities Between Allergic Conjunctivitis and Viral Conjunctivitis?
- Allergic conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis are two different types of conjunctivitis that cause inflammation of the conjunctiva.
- Both conditions may present with similar symptoms, such as eye irritation, watery discharges from the eye, etc.
- Both types can be diagnosed through evaluation of symptoms and eye examination,
- They are mainly treated through cold compresses, artificial tears, and stop wearing contact lenses which trigger the symptoms.
What is the Difference Between Allergic Conjunctivitis and Viral Conjunctivitis?
Allergic conjunctivitis is a type of conjunctivitis that is caused by allergens and irritants such as pollen, dust, and mold, while viral conjunctivitis is a type of conjunctivitis that is caused due to viral infection. Thus, this is the key difference between allergic conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis. Furthermore, allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by exposure to pollen, grass, other airborne allergens, and indoor allergens such as animal dander, dust, and mold spores. On the other hand, viral conjunctivitis is triggered by viruses such as adenoviruses, rubella virus, rubeola (measles) virus, herpes viruses, and picornaviruses such as coxsackievirus A24 and enterovirus 70.
The infographic below presents the differences between allergic conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Allergic Conjunctivitis vs Viral Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the outermost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid, known as conjunctiva. It results in pain, irritation, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness in the eye. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes of the people. Allergic conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis are two different types of conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is due to allergens and irritants, while viral conjunctivitis is due to infections by different viruses. So, this summarizes the difference between allergic conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis.
Reference:
1. “Allergic Conjunctivitis: Types, Causes, and Symptoms.” Healthline.
2. “Viral Conjunctivitis.” – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Allergic Conjunctivitis” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Viral Conjunctivitis” By Microrao – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia