ALLERGIC CONJUCTIVITIS CAUSED BY SUGI (CRYPTOMERIA-JAPONICA DON,D.) POLLEN OUT-OF-SEASON

Allergic conjunctivitis caused by sugi pollen is considered to be stri ctly a ''spring disease''. However, a recent report indicated that sug i pollen is scattered not only in spring but in all seasons, especiall y in the autumn. We retrospectively determined the number of patients with allergic conjunctivitis caused by sugi pollen during each month f or 3 consecutive years, and also investigated the growth of sugi male cones in November for four years, Diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis was based on symptomatic complaints, clinical findings, and serum sug i pollen specific IgE measured by the Multiple Antigen Simultaneous Te st 16. The annual incidence of allergic conjunctivitis peaked twice, o nce in spring and again in autumn, Scattering of sugi pollen occurred mostly in March and October, whilst the growth of sugi male cones was highest in November, Thus, allergy to sugi pollen can cause allergic c onjunctivitis both in the spring and late autumn.