What is the typical treatment for allergic conjunctivitis?

• A. Antibiotic eye drops
• B. Topical antihistamines to reduce itching
• C. Steroid eye drops
• D. Oral decongestants only

Answer: (B)

Allergic conjunctivitis is driven by the allergic reaction in the conjunctiva, where histamine release causes itching, redness, and tearing. The treatment goal is to block the histamine effects on the eye and quickly relieve itching. Topical antihistamines do exactly this—they block histamine receptors on the ocular surface and help stabilize mast cells, leading to rapid relief of itching with a favorable safety profile for short-term use.

Antibiotic eye drops target bacterial infections, not allergic inflammation, so they don’t address the underlying cause of allergic conjunctivitis and aren’t used unless a bacterial infection is present. Steroid eye drops can dampen inflammation but carry risks such as increased intraocular pressure and cataract formation with prolonged use, so they’re reserved for severe or persistent cases under specialist supervision. Oral decongestants provide systemic vasoconstriction and don’t specifically treat the allergic mechanism in the eye, and they can cause systemic side effects, making them inappropriate as the primary treatment for allergic conjunctivitis.