VB, 23 years old, is suffering from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. This has been precipitated by a lot of smoke in the air caused by persistent bushfires. Her eyes are itching, red, with a watery...

VB, 23 years old, is suffering from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. This has been precipitated by a lot of smoke in the air caused by persistent bushfires. Her eyes are itching, red, with a watery discharge. She has not had this condition before and she is finding it uncomfortable to wear her contact lenses. VB goes to her local pharmacy to pick up some drops containing the decongestant naphazoline and the H₁
antihistamine pheniramine. These are not particularly successful, so V_B
goes to see her doctor. Her doctor prescribes the NSAID ketorolac in eye drops. This treatment reduces the symptoms significantly. Questions

1 What is conjunctivitis?

2 Outline the medicine education you would offer Ms VB about using the decongestant–antihistamine combination.

3 Describe the mechanisms of action of the decongestant, the antihistamine and the NSAID.

4 List any other eye preparations that can be used in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.