Severe allergic conjunctivitis and chemosis caused by disodium cromoglycate

A 63-year-old man with chronic, nonallergic rhinoconjunctivitis presented immediate adverse reactions, such as intense itching, burning, redness and severe swelling of both conjunctivae after using disodium cromoglycate eye drops. Skin prick tests and conjunctival provocation tests were positive with pure disodium cromoglycate. Circulating IgE-specific antibodies to disodium cromoglycate in serum were demonstrated by RAST. We suggest that the acute ocular reaction was caused by disodium cromoglycate and that the underlying mechanism was probably an IgE-mediated immunological reaction.