Functional visual acuity assessment of severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Immunology

Background:

• Severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) significantly impacts ocular surface health and visual function.
• Current treatment options for severe AKC often have limitations in addressing visual acuity deficits.

Observation:

• A study evaluated 3 boys with severe AKC undergoing treatment with 0.1% cyclosporine ophthalmic solution.
• Measurements included conventional and functional visual acuity (FVA), visual maintenance ratio (VMR), tear film stability, and ocular staining.

Findings:

• Treatment with 0.1% cyclosporine ophthalmic solution for 3 months led to significant improvements in FVA and Landolt visual acuity.
• Mean FVA improved from 0.45 to 0.16, and mean Landolt visual acuity improved from 0.13 to -0.06.
• Mean VMR also showed marked improvement, increasing from 0.88 to 0.95, indicating enhanced dynamic visual function.

Implications:

• Functional visual acuity (FVA) and visual maintenance ratio (VMR) are valuable tools for assessing visual function in AKC patients.
• 0.1% cyclosporine ophthalmic solution demonstrates efficacy in improving both ocular surface status and visual function in severe AKC.