Ocular Surface evaluation in children Presenting Ongoing Ocular Allergy

Abstract

AbstractPurpose to evaluate in a retrospective study ocular surface impairment and tear osmolarity in children presenting ongoing ocular allergy. Tears are necessary for continued health of ocular surface and tear osmolarity is considered a key point for tear film impairment and ocular surface damage.Methods Our retrospective study included 20 children (mean age 11 yo, range 6 to 17 yo) of two groups that presented at ocular consultation of our hospital. Group a, 10 children with ongoing ocular allergy, group b 10 control children who had been tested but finally did not present any sign of allergy or dry eye. All the children underwent a tear osmolarity measure prior to complete ocular consultation to be aware of influencing results by the examination. The tear osmolarity measure was obtained with the Tear Lab Osmolarity System (OcuSense). A complete ocular examination was also performed. So the type of ocular allergy was diagnosed.Results In group a, all the children presented clinical signs of on going ocular allergy with conjunctival redness, follicles and/or papillae. In two cases severe keratitis was present. In group b no ocular signs of conjunctiva anomalies were found. Mean tear osmolarity in group b, was 305mOsm/l and in group a, was 316mOsm/l. Tear osmolarity appeared higher in the ocular allergy group than in the non symptomatic children. Younger children had a higher measure of tear osmolarity.Conclusion In adults 305mOsm/l is a cut‐off value for dry eye. In our study this measure appears similar to adults but could be higher in youngest children. In children with ocular allergy, higher measure of tear osmolarity indicates an ocular surface damage that is underestimated. Tear osmolarity can be useful to manage ocular surface disease in children.