Evaluation of immunologic and laboratory tests for diagnosis of allergic eye diseases

ABSTRACT

We studied 39 cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis [VKC] and 53 cases of atopic conjunctivitis [AC]. Local eosinophilia was found in conjunctival scrapings in 82% of VKC cases and 75% of AC cases and was correlated to severity of the condition. Circulating eosinophil levels were significantly increased only in severe cases, which were often associated with other extended allergies. Total serum IgE levels were significantly increased in 56% and 60% of VKC and AC cases respectively. Skin prick testing gave positive results in 82% of VKC cases and 96% of AC cases. Specific IgE testing showed comparable results to those of skin testing. This work was done in EI-Maghraby Eye Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia