Factors Associated with Allergic Conjunctivitis in School-Aged Children in Pathum Thani Area

Tamonwan Sorawet, MD¹ ORCID , Orapan Poachanukoon, MD, PhD² ORCID , Duangmontree Rojdamrongratana, MD¹ ORCID , Wimolwan Tangpagasit, MD¹ ORCID , Thritsawan Thanyapalit, MD² ORCID , Wiphada Det-amnatkul, MD² ORCID , Pichanon Wacharaprapapong, MD² ORCID , Wannaporn Wanichsetakul, MD² ORCID , Natcha Manasilp, MD³ ORCID

Affiliation : ¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand; ² Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand; ³ Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand

Abstract
Background: Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) affects approximately 40% to 60% of individuals with allergies. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) reports an ocular allergy prevalence of 4.8% to 21% among children aged 13-14 years.
Objective: To evaluate the factors that correlate with AC in junior high school students, in order to support clinical diagnosis, comprehensive care, and patient education.
Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted among junior high school students aged 12-15 years at Thammasat Khlongluang Wittayakom School, Thailand. Participants completed the ISAAC questionnaire and underwent ophthalmologic examination, severity grading of allergic ocular disease, SPT, and Schirmer’s test. Stratified sampling was used to determine and allocate the sample size.
Results: No significant differences in age or gender were observed between the AC and non-AC groups. A history of allergic rhinitis and exposure to household smoking were significantly associated with AC. In multivariate analysis, allergic rhinitis remained an independent risk factor (adjusted OR 10.31, 95% CI 1.23 to 86.71, p=0.032), while living with a habitual smoker also showed a significant association (adjusted OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.09 to 7.70, p=0.033). Most AC cases presented with mild symptoms, and nearly all participants with AC had never been formally diagnosed.
Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis and exposure to household cigarette smoke are significant factors associated with AC in school-aged children. These findings highlight the importance of early recognition and screening for AC in community and school health settings.

Received 7 October 2025 | Revised 20 March 2026 | Accepted 1 April 2026
J Med Assoc Thai 2026;109(7):575-83
DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2026.7.02389

Keywords : Allergic conjunctivitis; Epidemiology; Comorbid allergic disease; Pediatric allergy; Environmental exposure


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