Vernal keratoconjunctivitis in human immunodeficiency positives: A case series

To analyze the clinical profile of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and its response to treatment in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and its relation with CD4 counts.

This study is a retrospective observational case series of patients with HIV and VKC.

Thirteen patients presented with HIV and VKC, with 69.2% having a severe-grade VKC. Median age of onset of VKC was 5 years in children and 31.5 years in adults. Seventy percent had a drop in CD4 counts at the onset of VKC. The duration between diagnosis of HIV and onset of VKC was statistically less in adults than in children. Eleven were on highly active antiretroviral therapy at presentation, and three patients were changed to second line of therapy, two of whom showed worsening of VKC just before shifting.

The study thus highlights the correlation between worsening of VKC and decrease in CD4 counts, and thus there is a need for aggressive management of HIV to prevent VKC-related complications.