RISK FACTORS AND CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF VERNAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS IN PATIENTS VISITING THE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT AT A RURAL TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is an allergic eye disease. It is a bilateral, seasonal, external ocular inflammatory disease of unknown cause. The clinical picture of VKC is characterized by ocular symptoms such as pruritus, tearing, burning, foreign body sensation and photophobia. There are three clinical forms: Palpebral, bulbar and mixed. Risk factors include allergic tendencies, family history of atopy, tropical climate. There is male preponderance to this condition. Aims/objectives:To study the known risk factors predisposing to and clinical presentation of Vernal keratoconjunctivitis in patients at our rural tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: We included 40 patients of both genders who came to the outpatient department of our rural tertiary health centre with signs and symptoms of VKC and excluded patients with other ocular surface disorders. Results: Out of 40 study participants, 26 (65%) were male and 14 were female. Majority of patients (55%) visited the OPD in the summer season.There was a significant history of other atopic manifestations, such as eczema or asthma, in 55% of patients. A family history of atopy was found in 19 (47.5%) patients.It was bilateral in 95% (38) patients.The predominant form seen in our RHTC was palpebral in 25 patients (62.5%), followed by mixed (25%) and bulbar (12.5%). Commonest symptom was itching, seen in 70% of patients,Diminution of vision was seen in 5% of patients due to corneal scarring and Shield ulcer. Signs included papillae, limbal thickening, Horner Trantas spots, punctate epithelial erosions or keratitis, Shield ulcers. Conclusion: VKC is a bilateral, allergic, seasonal, external ocular inflammatory disease of unknowncause. It involves the conjunctiva and can involve the cornea and eventually lead to vision threatening complications.