Allergic Conjunctivitis in the Fall and Spring

QUESTION: Every year when I return to school, I find myself suffering with a
case of red eye yet again. The mystery is that I get it again when I go home
at Easter time. Does that mean I am allergic to both school and home?
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ANSWER: Well, you have one thing right; you are suffering from a type of
allergic conjunctivitis, but of a special type. It's called vernal (derived
from the Latin word vernalis, meaning "pertaining to spring") conjunctivitis.
But it is a bad name, as this condition crops up both in the fall and the
spring. It's an annoying condition, marked by intense itching, sensitivity to
light, and a thick discharge, as well as the characteristic red eye. Chances
are that you are a male between the ages of 5 to 20, for statistics say that
those are the most common victims. The symptoms become milder as each year
progresses and finally the year rolls around when they fail to return. During
acute attacks eye drops containing a corticosteroid (cortisone-like)
medication used every two hours will do a great deal to relieve your distress,
but you will have to see your own doctor, for that's a "by prescription only"
medication.