exercise induced conjunctivitis

I am a 25 yr old female with a generally unremarkable medical history aside from seasonal allergies, for which I take Fexofenadine and Xyzal.  In the past I have taken Alrex, Tobradex, and Patanol for allergic conjunctivitis.  I also use Systane eye drops as instructed by my opthalmologist.  For about a year now, every time I exercise I get severe conjunctivitis.  At about the 20 minute mark, my eyes start getting red.  It always starts with the inside corner of my left eye and the outside corner of my right eye.  Then those areas become very thick and film-like, and I get a stringy white discharge that seems to stick to my lower eyelids and make my eyes feel gritty.  My lower eyelids also swell (but feel firm in the center of my lower eyelid), but not until I have stopped exercising. My symptoms disappear within 2-3 hours, but the redness lingers for a few more hours.  This is unusual for me because I have been in sports all of my life and I have never had this problem.  Also, I don't wear makeup when I exercise.  I'm already on 2 prescription antihistamines, so I'm not convinced that this is an allergy.  I don't know what to do because I can't just avoid exercise.... I want to stay healthy.  I just feel like I have to plan my life around when I am going to exercise so I can make sure I give myself enough time for my symptoms to subside.  I have a regular visit with my opthalmologist on Monday, but I just thought I would ask here.  Any info will help!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Unless you wear contact lens I can't offer an explanation. With glasses or no glasses I can't think of any reason why this would happen.

JCH MD

[Crazyhorse8]

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