Geographic distribution, prevalence and severity of ocular allergies are constantly changing and increasing.
Recent studies report rates of allergic conjunctivitis up to approximately 40% in North America and 20% in the world’s population. Allergy season is starting earlier and finishing later, symptoms are worsening, and people who never had allergies before are suddenly developing them well into adulthood.
“Our genetic makeup has remained essentially the same, so what has changed is important,” Leonard Bielory, MD, an allergist-immunologist and leading expert in ocular surface disorders,