Modulation of Allergic Conjunctivitis by Immunostimulatory DNA Sequence Oligonucleotides

Allergic eye diseases are a group of inflammatory conjunctival conditions with certain shared characteristics, including symptoms of itching and watery discharge, an increased frequency of atopy, and papillae in the conjunctiva (1). Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common allergic disease in the United States affecting over 40 million people per year (2). Patients with allergic conjunctivitis (AC) experience itching and burning sensations in the eye in response to allergens that are innocuous for normal individuals. Patients show clinical signs of itching, chemosis (conjunctival swelling), epiphora (tearing), mild conjunctival hyperemia, and lid edema (3). Current treatment regimens are grossly inadequate, spurring the intensive search for new and more effective drugs.