Pucci Neri, Novembre Elio, Lombardi Enrico, Massai Cristina, Bernardini Roberto, Caputo Roberto, Campa Luciana, de Libero Cinzia, Vierucci Alberto
Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Anna Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Pediatrics. 2005 Jan;115(1):e86-91. doi: 10.1542/peds.2004-1555.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic conjunctivitis that affects children mainly in temperate areas, with exacerbations in spring and summer. Eyelashes provide natural protection for the eyes from sunshine, wind, and foreign bodies. These factors induce a worsening of signs and symptoms in VKC, whereas mechanical protection of the eyes produces relief. The aim of this study was to evaluate eyelash length in a large series of VKC patients and in age- and gender-matched healthy subjects.
Upper eyelash length was measured in 93 VKC patients (mean age: 8.7 years; range: 4-18 years) with a digital caliper. History, clinical form, type of presentation, degree of severity, and drug therapy were evaluated. Skin tests and serum-specific immunoglobulin E for common allergens, serum-total immunoglobulin E, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, and serum eosinophil cationic protein were determined. Two age- and gender-matched control subjects for each VKC patient underwent the same eyelash measurement.
The upper eyelashes were significantly longer in VKC patients than in control subjects (mean +/- SD: 8.9 +/- 1.17 mm vs 7.9 +/- 1.07 mm). In healthy subjects, a negative correlation was found between eyelash length and age. With multivariate analysis, unlike control subjects, the eyelash length in VKC patients did not correlate with age, was positively correlated with the degree of severity of VKC, and was negatively correlated with the use of topical cyclosporine.
Patients with VKC had longer eyelashes than healthy matched subjects. The ocular inflammation, by unknown chemical mediators, was likely responsible for the excessive eyelash growth. The finding may represent a defensive mechanism against physical agents that might have a crucial role in the etiopathogenesis of this disease.
春季角结膜炎（VKC）是一种主要影响温带地区儿童的慢性结膜炎，在春季和夏季病情会加重。睫毛为眼睛提供天然保护，使其免受阳光、风和异物侵害。这些因素会导致VKC的体征和症状恶化，而对眼睛的机械性保护则会缓解症状。本研究的目的是评估大量VKC患者以及年龄和性别匹配的健康受试者的睫毛长度。
使用数字卡尺测量93例VKC患者（平均年龄：8.7岁；范围：4 - 18岁）的上睫毛长度。评估病史、临床类型、表现形式、严重程度和药物治疗情况。检测常见变应原的皮肤试验和血清特异性免疫球蛋白E、血清总免疫球蛋白E、外周血嗜酸性粒细胞计数以及血清嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白。为每位VKC患者匹配两名年龄和性别相同的对照受试者，进行相同的睫毛测量。
VKC患者的上睫毛明显长于对照受试者（平均值±标准差：8.9±1.17毫米对7.9±1.07毫米）。在健康受试者中，发现睫毛长度与年龄呈负相关。多因素分析显示，与对照受试者不同，VKC患者的睫毛长度与年龄无关，与VKC的严重程度呈正相关，与局部使用环孢素呈负相关。
VKC患者的睫毛比健康对照受试者长。眼部炎症可能通过未知的化学介质导致睫毛过度生长。这一发现可能代表了一种针对物理因素的防御机制，而物理因素可能在该疾病的发病机制中起关键作用。
