Beyond the itch: Recognizing vision-threatening eye allergy in children

Children's Eye Health and Safety Month centers largely on vision screening and injury prevention, but allergic eye disease is a quietly common—and sometimes vision-threatening—part of pediatric eye care. Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis affect a large share of children, while more severe forms such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) can progress to shield ulcers, corneal scarring, and lasting visual compromise if missed.