ren's qj ealth Are Allergies Adversely Affecting Your Child’s Grades? (NAPSA)—Paying attention in class can be difficult enough for many kids, but for the more than six million school-age children whosuffer from allergies, it can be downright frustrating. Allergy symptoms can challenge a child’s concentration, energy level, and activity in and outof the class- room. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), allergies contribute to more than two million missed school days per year. This lost time can have a negative impact on a child’s ability to learn, and it can cause embarrassment, limiting social interaction and participation in after-schoolactivities. Research has found that many Children with eye allergies may children with nasal allergies also suffer from the most common type of eye allergy, allergic conjunctivitis. Symptoms include itchy, swollen, red, and teary eyes. find it difficult to concentrate in the classroom. a variety of irritants that include tree, weed, and grass pollens; molds; dust mites; and animal brief eye burning/stinging, head- Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by dander. Parents should seek a doctor’s advice for their child’s condition. Medications that can help are available. One treatment is OPTIVAR (azelastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), 0.05%, a prescription eye drop for itching of the eyes associated with allergic conjunc- tivitis in adults and children ages three andolder. Studies have shown that twicedaily OPTIVAR works within three minutes, and continues protecting against allergy-causing irritants for eight to ten hours. In studies, the most frequently reported adverse events with OPTIVAR were mild, and included ache, and bitter taste. Discontinuation due to these adverse events was less than one percent with OPTIVAR. The recom- mended dose for OPTIVAR is one drop in each affected eye twice a day in adults and children three years of age and older. If your child is suffering from nasal allergies, there’s a good chance that he or she has eye allergies as well. See an allergist or ophthalmologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. For more information on OPTIVAR and allergic conjunctivitis, visit www.medpointeinc.com/optivar or call 800-526-3840.
