Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2014 Jun;25(4):314-22. doi: 10.1111/pai.12197. Epub 2014 Jan 20.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is an unusually severe sight-threatening allergic eye disease, occurring mainly in children. Conventional therapy for allergic conjunctivitis is generally not adequate for VKC. Pediatricians and allergists are often not familiar with the severe clinical symptoms and signs of VKC. As untreated VKC can lead to permanent visual loss, pediatric allergists should be aware of the management and therapeutic options for this disease to allow patients to enter clinical remission with the least side effects and sequelae. Children with VKC present with severe ocular symptoms, that is, severe eye itching and irritation, constant tearing, red eye, eye discharge, and photophobia. On examination, giant papillae are frequently observed on the upper tarsal conjunctiva (cobblestoning appearance), with some developing gelatinous infiltrations around the limbus surrounding the cornea (Horner-Trantas dot). Conjunctival injections are mostly severe with thick mucus ropy discharge. Eosinophils are the predominant cells found in the tears and eye discharge. Common therapies include topical antihistamines and dual-acting agents, such as lodoxamide and olopatadine. These are infrequently sufficient and topical corticosteroids are often required for the treatment of flare ups. Ocular surface remodeling leads to severe suffering and complications, such as corneal ulcers/scars. Other complications include side effects from chronic topical steroids use, such as increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, cataract and infections. Alternative therapies for VKC include immunomodulators, such as cyclosporine A and tacrolimus. Surgery is reserved for those with complications and should be handled by ophthalmologists with special expertise. Newer research on the pathogenesis of VKC is reviewed in this article. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a very important allergic eye disease in children. Complications and remodeling changes are unique and can lead to blindness. Understanding of pathogenesis of VKC may lead to better therapy for these unfortunate patients.
春季角结膜炎(VKC)是一种异常严重的威胁视力的过敏性眼病,主要发生在儿童中。过敏性结膜炎的常规治疗通常对 VKC 不够有效。儿科医生和过敏症专家通常不熟悉 VKC 的严重临床症状和体征。由于未经治疗的 VKC 可导致永久性视力丧失,儿科过敏症专家应了解该疾病的管理和治疗选择,以使患者以最小的副作用和后遗症进入临床缓解期。患有 VKC 的儿童表现出严重的眼部症状,即严重的眼痒和刺激、持续流泪、眼红、眼分泌物和畏光。检查时,上睑结膜(鹅卵石样外观)常可见巨大乳头,有些在角膜周围缘(Horner-Trantas 点)周围发展为凝胶状浸润。结膜充血多为重度,伴有浓稠的黏液分泌物。在泪液和眼分泌物中发现的主要细胞是嗜酸性粒细胞。常见的治疗方法包括局部抗组胺药和双作用药物,如洛度沙胺和奥洛他定。这些药物很少能充分发挥作用,通常需要局部皮质类固醇治疗发作。眼表重塑导致严重的痛苦和并发症,如角膜溃疡/疤痕。其他并发症包括慢性局部使用皮质类固醇引起的副作用,如眼压升高、青光眼、白内障和感染。VKC 的替代疗法包括免疫调节剂,如环孢素 A 和他克莫司。手术保留给有并发症的患者,应由具有特殊专业知识的眼科医生处理。本文回顾了 VKC 发病机制的最新研究。春季角结膜炎是儿童中非常重要的过敏性眼病。并发症和重塑改变是独特的,可导致失明。对 VKC 发病机制的理解可能会为这些不幸的患者带来更好的治疗方法。