OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at revisiting vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) on the basis of anamnestic, clinical, immunologic, histopathologic, and followup data of 195 patients. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and ninety-five patients with VKC. METHODS: Clinical evaluation and outcome in 151 of 195 patients with a median followup of 47 months. Evaluation was by telephone survey in 69 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Demographic, clinical, and immunologic features of VKC and their influence on the course of the disease; (2) conjunctival and corneal complications and efficacy of treatment observed during the followup period. RESULTS: VKC is a chronic disease. More than 60% of patients had repeated recurrences all year round. Males had an earlier presentation of symptoms than females and the male/female ratio decreased with age. Major (greater than 80%) and minor (up to 80%) diagnostic criteria were defined for clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. Negative skin test or radioallergosorbent test was present in approximately 50% of patients, whereas eosinophil infiltration was a constant histopathologic finding. A marked conjunctival sensitivity to nonspecific stimuli was noted in more than one third of patients. In 6% of cases, a reduction of visual acuity resulted from corneal scarring, and in 2% of patients, steroid-induced glaucoma was observed. The large size of giant papillae indicates poor prognosis for the persistence of the disease and its evolution into a chronic, perennial condition. CONCLUSIONS: VKC is a chronic eosinophilic disease of the ocular surface involving IgE, non IgE-mediated mechanisms, and age-sex-related influences. Although the disease has a good prognosis, severe visual impairments may result from long-standing inflammation.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at revisiting vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) on the basis of anamnestic, clinical, immunologic, histopathologic, and followup data of 195 patients. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and ninety-five patients with VKC. METHODS: Clinical evaluation and outcome in 151 of 195 patients with a median followup of 47 months. Evaluation was by telephone survey in 69 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Demographic, clinical, and immunologic features of VKC and their influence on the course of the disease; (2) conjunctival and corneal complications and efficacy of treatment observed during the followup period. RESULTS: VKC is a chronic disease. More than 60% of patients had repeated recurrences all year round. Males had an earlier presentation of symptoms than females and the male/female ratio decreased with age. Major (greater than 80%) and minor (up to 80%) diagnostic criteria were defined for clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. Negative skin test or radioallergosorbent test was present in approximately 50% of patients, whereas eosinophil infiltration was a constant histopathologic finding. A marked conjunctival sensitivity to nonspecific stimuli was noted in more than one third of patients. In 6% of cases, a reduction of visual acuity resulted from corneal scarring, and in 2% of patients, steroid-induced glaucoma was observed. The large size of giant papillae indicates poor prognosis for the persistence of the disease and its evolution into a chronic, perennial condition. CONCLUSIONS: VKC is a chronic eosinophilic disease of the ocular surface involving IgE, non IgE-mediated mechanisms, and age-sex-related influences. Although the disease has a good prognosis, severe visual impairments may result from long-standing inflammation.
Authors: Stefan De Smedt; John Nkurikiye; Yannick Fonteyne; Arjan Hogewoning; Marjan Van Esbroeck; Dirk De Bacquer; Stephen Tuft; Clare Gilbert; Joris Delanghe; Philippe Kestelyn Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2011-10 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: F Mantelli; M S Santos; T Petitti; R Sgrulletta; M Cortes; A Lambiase; S Bonini Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Date: 2007-06-22 Impact factor: 4.638