Final answer:
Allergic conjunctivitis presents with itchy, watery eyes, and redness often associated with hay fever while atopic keratoconjunctivitis includes the same symptoms plus severe eye and corneal involvement, leading possibly to vision impairment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Allergic Conjunctivitis and Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis and atopic keratoconjunctivitis are both inflammatory ocular conditions that exhibit some overlapping symptoms due to their allergic nature; however, they differ symptomatically in severity and chronicity. Allergic conjunctivitis typically presents with itchy, watery eyes, and redness, commonly associated with allergies like hay fever. These symptoms are often accompanied by swollen tissues and can occur seasonally or be triggered by specific environmental allergens.
On the other hand, atopic keratoconjunctivitis is a more severe and chronic form of allergic conjunctivitis, often seen in individuals with a history of atopic diseases, such as eczema. Its symptoms are not only limited to the conjunctiva but also affect the cornea, leading to conditions such as inflammation of both the cornea and conjunctiva (keratoconjunctivitis). People with atopic keratoconjunctivitis may experience severe itching, redness, a thick mucous discharge, sensitivity to light, and a greater predisposition to corneal lesions which can result in potential vision impairment or blindness if not properly managed.
Therefore, the fundamental difference lies in the involvement of the cornea found in atopic keratoconjunctivitis, alongside more severe symptoms and the potential for more significant long-term damage to the eyes compared to allergic conjunctivitis.