Pathophysiology of ocular allergy Flashcards

1
Q

What is the immune system?

A
  • Defence system of the body against pathogenic microbes in environment
  • collection of cells and molecules
  • inflammation : kills microbes
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2
Q

What is an allergy?

A

Immune system inappropriately triggered/not properly controlled
- abnormal immune response to commonly encountered antigens
- manifested as inflammation

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3
Q

What are the two types of immunity?

A

-Innate and adaptive

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4
Q

What is innate immunity?

A

Prevents & controls majority of infections
- always present
- mediated by cells & proteins
e.g. epithelial barriers, phagocytic leucocytes, natural killer cells, circulating plasma proteins of the complement system

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5
Q

What is adaptive immunity?

A

more powerful & specialised mechanism
- it responds to presence of infectious microbes by activating, expanding and generating potent mechanism

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6
Q

What are the two types of adaptive immunity?

A

Humoral
Cellular

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7
Q

What is humoral immunity?

A
  • B lymphocytes : produce antibodies
  • defence against extracellular microbes (blood, mucosal secretions & tissue)
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8
Q

What is cellular immunity?

A
  • T lymphocytes
  • defence against intracellular microbes
  • either kill infected cells or activate phagocytes to kill ingested microbes
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9
Q

What are the causes of hypersensitivity reactions?

A
  • reactions against environmental antigens
  • reactions against microbes
  • autoimmunity
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10
Q

What is Vernal Conjunctivitis?

A

Sight-threatening, bilateral, chronic allergic inflammation of the ocular surface

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11
Q

What are symptoms of vernal conjunctivitis?

A

Worst from spring to fall (severe itching, photophobia, tearing & mucus discharge)

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12
Q

What is atopic conjunctivitis?

A

sight threatening, bilateral, chronic allergic inflammation of the ocular surface & eyelids associated with atopic dermatitis

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13
Q

What are signs and symptoms of atopic conjunctivitis?

A

chronic itching, burning, tearing, photophobia, papillary hypertrophy, conjunctival hyperemia, chemosis, swollen eyelids

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14
Q

What is contact allergy?

A

Hypersensitivity response
- ocular surface, eyelids & periocular skin

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15
Q

What are the signs of contact allergy?

A

Dermatitis of the periocular skins & eyelids, itching, conjunctival hyperemia, chemosis, follicular/papillary reaction

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