CLINICAL PROFILE OF PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS OF VERNAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS PRESENTING TO THE TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTRE

Abstract

PURPOSE - to study the clinical prole of patients of vernal keratoconjunctivitis presenting to the tertiary health care centre. METHODS- This was a prospective observational study that involved 100 eyes of 50 patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis complaining of itching, burning and ropy discharge. Slit lamp examination was done in all the patients. RESULTS-There were 37 males and 13 females and the age group taken was 1 to 15 years. 4 patients belonged to the age group of 1 to 5 years, out of which all 4 were males. 32 patients belonged to age group of 6 to 11 years, out of which 24 were males and 8 were females. 14 patients belonged to the age group of 12 to 15 years, out of which 9 were males and 5 were females. On slit lamp examination cobblestone papillae were seen in 46% patients, pseudogerontoxon was seen in 32% patients, Horner Tranta's spots were seen in 18% patients and shield ulcer was seen in 4% patients. CONCLUSION-VKC is a common form of allergic conjunctivitis and the disease tends to occur in males of 6 to 11 years age group. Most common is palpebral form followed by mixed and bulbar forms. Some cases showed history of dust exposure, atopy and other allergic conditions.