Retrospective survey of a link between cat and dog antigens and allergic conjuctivitis.

This retrospective 3-year study was designed to determine (a) which antigen positive patients were found in greater numbers, (b) whether the patients who were positive for cat or dog antigen-specific IgE were also positive for other antigens, and (c) whether the number of patients with allergic conjunctivitis increased during a particular time of the year. A total of 762 patients were diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis including 107 cat-positive and/or dog-positive patients. Cat-positive patients were more prevalent than dog-positive patients, (p < 0.001). All but 2 patients were positive for other antigens, indicating a strong link between the animal antigens and other antigens. Cat and dog allergy increased in spring and early summer.