Quantitative evaluation of inflammatory cells in seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

This study aimed to investigate the inflammatory changes occurring in the allergic conjunctiva due to different allergens. Ninety-two allergic conjunctivitis patients were divided into two groups: group I showed cedar pollen sensitivity only; group II showed sensitivities to cedar pollen and household dust or mites. Using brush cytology procedures, quantitative evaluation of inflammatory cells in the conjunctiva was made. The mean proportion of the neutrophils and lymphocytes in group II was significantly higher than the percentage of neutrophils in group I. The counts of eosinophils showed no significant difference between groups I and II. Our results suggest that the eosinophil numbers are not different between the allergic conjunctivitis groups. The neutrophilic and lymphocytic increase in allergic conjunctivitis may be due to two distinct groups of antigens.