ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate dry eyes in children with vernal kerato?conjunctivitis (VKC) and correlate it with symptoms, clinical findings, and ocular surface analysis (OSA) parameters. Methods: Children with clinically diagnosed VKC underwent complete ophthalmological examination, Schirmer’s testing, modified ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scoring, Bonini grading, fluorescein tear?film break?up time (TBUT), VKC – Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) scoring, and OSA. Children with a TBUT of < 10 s were defined to have dry eyes. The above?mentioned parameters were compared between dry eye and non?dry eye VKC children. Results: The mean age of the 87 children included in the study was 9.1 ± 2.9 years. Dry eyes were seen in 60.9% [95% confidence interval (CI); 51% to 71%]. The mean TBUT was 13.4 ± 3.8 and 5.9 ± 1.9 s in non?dry and dry eye groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean value of Schirmer’s test was 25.9 ± 9.8 and 20.8 ± 8.6 mm in the non?dry and dry eye groups, respectively (P = 0.01). The two groups did not differ in their OSDI scores, Bonini grading, and CLEK scores. The OSA parameter of non?invasive break?up time (NIBUT) was 8.3 ± 3.2 s in non?dry eye group and 6.4 ± 2.9 s in dry eye group, P = 0.008. The lower lid Meibomian gland (MG) loss was 7.4% in non?dry eye group and 12.2% in dry eye group, P = 0.028. Other OSA parameters did not differ significantly among the two groups. Conclusion: Dry eyes are seen in two?thirds of pediatric VKC. Evaluation of dry eyes should be incorporated in their clinical evaluation. Among OSA parameters, NIBUT and lower lid MG loss are associated with dry eyes in pediatric VKC patients.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this survey was to establish the prevalence of AC and to know the practice pattern of managing ocular allergy in north India. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study done in the states of north India, involving registered practicing ophthalmologists (RP). The survey was conducted in the month of May 2019. 14 fourteen survey questionnaire prepared on significant clinical situations related to ocular allergy was sent via goggle form to 300 Ophthalmologists of north India. The response was recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The survey was participated by 232 RP (77.33%) out of 300 whom the questionnaire was sent. The results analysis involved epidemiological, treatment and complication pattern. CONCLUSION:AC patients form a significant proportion of our clinical patients specially in summer season. The chronic nature of this disease specially VKC needs a judicious use of different pharmacological agents considering their adverse effects. Newer molecules like Alcaftadine, Bepotastine and various Immunomodulators need further study by randomized clinical trials for their relative efficacy as survey are not sufficient to give us a clear indication towards rationalized use.