Vernal keratoconjunctivitis at Guinness Eye Centre, Luth (a five year study)

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) (Spring Catarrh) is a chronic, seasonally exacerbated bilateral external allergic ocular inflammation which causes a lot of ocular discomfort to children and young adults and, in severe or poorly managed cases, can even lead to blindness.

To determine age/sex distribution, seasonal pattern, and frequency of clinical features.

A review of medical records of patients who presented with VKC between January 2001 - December 2006.

A total of 148 patients' records were reviewed. There was male preponderance with a Male to Female ratio of 1.27:1, and higher frequency in patients less than 10 yrs was observed. A trimodal peak pattern (January-February, April-July and September-October) was seen. Itching was the most common symptom and brownish conjunctival discolouration, the most common sign.

This study is in agreement with previous findings of male preponderance and the tendency for the condition to affect children and young adults. It also detected an increase in number of cases in periods of seasonal changes from dry to wet. The necessity of patients' being assessed by an ophthalmologist was highlighted as several patients had been treated with antibiotics solely, which is insufficient for control of the condition.