Related Experiment Videos
[Vernal keratoconjunctivitis in children]
Bronisława Oraszewska-Matuszewska1, Ewa Pieczara, Elibieta Sameochowiec-Donocik
1Z Katedry i Kliniki Okuliistyki Dzieciecej Slaskiej Akademii Medycznej w Katowicach.
Klinika Oczna
|August 2, 2005
Summary
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children is recurrent, with frequency unrelated to age but linked to giant papillae. Surgical removal of large papillae aids corneal healing and prevents lasting vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Corneal Diseases
Context:
- Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, bilateral, itching, seasonal eye inflammation.
- Palpebral VKC, a subtype, affects the conjunctiva of the eyelids.
- Recurrences and corneal complications are common in pediatric VKC.
Purpose:
- To assess the clinical course of palpebral VKC in children.
- To investigate the relationship between VKC recurrence frequency, patient age, and giant papillae.
- To determine the incidence of irreversible corneal changes and visual acuity reduction.
Summary:
- This study followed 17 children (34 eyes) with palpebral VKC for a mean of 8.4 years.
- Recurrence rates (2-5/year) did not correlate with age but were linked to giant papillae presence.
- Punctate keratopathy and corneal ulcers were observed; surgical intervention for giant papillae was performed in 13 patients.
- Visual acuity showed no statistically significant change post-treatment.
Impact:
- VKC recurrence is not age-dependent but linked to giant papillae, suggesting targeted interventions.
- Excision of large papillae can expedite corneal healing.
- Permanent visual impairment is infrequent, often due to peripheral corneal scarring.