Vernal conjunctivitis

Definition:

A seasonal inflammation of a portion of the eyes (conjunctivitis), thought to be of allergic origin.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Vernal conjunctivitis is thought to have an allergic basis, although this has not been proved. It appears most often during the spring and summer.

The condition is characterized by itchy, watery eyes. Affected people may experience burning and discomfort when they are in bright light (photophobia). The underside of the eyelids may become roughened and covered with a whitish mucus, giving them a cobblestone appearance. Tissue around the cornea where the white of the eye and the cornea meet (limbus) may become roughened. If this tissue extends onto the cornea, it may cause scarring and decreased vision.