2. Recurrent,bilateral,seasonal external ocular allergy
primarily affects children and young adults
Predisposing factors ::
AGE- 80% <14 yrs
SEX- Males>Females
SEASON-exacerbates during spring
FAMILY H/O allergic disease
PERSONAL H/O atopic diseases like asthma,hay fever
DRY and HOT environments
3. IMMUNE PATHOLOGY
• type 1 AND type 4 hypersensitivity plays an important role
ALLERGENS
OCULAR SURFACE
BIND TO MAST CELL IgE
ACTIVATION OF MAST CELL
CALCIUM ENTERS THE CELL
DEGRANULATION OF MAST CELL
RELEASE OF MEDIATORS
4.
5. • Early phase mediators like histamine,protease cause itching
redness swelling degradation of neighbouring cells and
inflammatory cell accumulation
• Other mediators like PG’S,LT’S,PAF,CYTOKINES,CHEMOKINES
also mediate redness,swelling,infiltration of eosinophils and
neutrophils
• EOSINOPHILS release MBP and ECP are epitheliotoxic and
involved in corneal damage
• Tear levels of ECP are considered as local markers of
eosinophil activation and correlated with clinical signs and
symptoms
7. SIGNS
– Papillary reaction.
– Conj redness and edema
– GPC.
– Limbal gelatinous infiltrate.
– Trantas dots.
– Mucus discharge.
– Pseudoptosis.
– Tarsal conjunctival fibrosis.
THREE clinical forms
1.Palpebral type
2.Limbal type
3.Mixed type
8. Progression of vernal conjunctivitis
Diffuse papillary hypertrophy, most marked on superior tarsus
Formation of cobblestone papillae Rupture of septae - giant papillae
12. Diagnostic approaches:
Clinically.
Specific IgE maybe assayed in serum and tears.
CBC for eosinophilia.
Tear levels of tryptase
Conj scraping and tear cytology:
Eosinophils.
Basophils.
Neutrophils.
13. Histopathology:
Proliferative and degenerative changes in the epithelium:
Occur early with marked acanthosis, and intraepithelial pseudocysts.
Prominent cellular infiltration in the substantia propria:
Eosinophils, neutrophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells.
Resident plasma cells and fibroblasts are also increased.
Typically mast cells contain enzymes tryptase and chymase
Hyperplasia of the connective tissues:
Mainly type III collagen, they run parallel to the surface forming the
fibrous structure for giant papillae.
14.
15. TREATMENT
NON PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION
Avoidance of allergens remains the first step
Cold compression provide symptomatic relief
especially itching
Lubrication with preservative free drops may wash
out allergans from conjunctival sac
Change of climate
16. PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION
FOR MILD CASES
1.Cool compress
2.Ocular lubricants
3.Decongestant
antihistaminics
4.Mast cell stabilisers
5.Environment control
FOR MODERATE TO SEVERE
CASES
1.topical/oral antihistaminics
2.Mast cell stabilisers
3.NSAIDS
4.Topical steroids
5.Acetyl cysteine to eliminate
mucous
18. STEROIDS
TOPICAL STEROIDS
For moderate to severe forms
Careful monitoring to detect steroid induced glaucoma and steriod
responder
MOA-inhibitis phospholipase which convert phospholipids to arachodonic
acid
EXAMPLES-
1.Prednisolone 0.01 to 1% hourly to BID
2.loteprednol 0.2 to 0.5% QID
3.flouromethalone BID TO QID
S/E may cause IOP raise and cataract formation
PULSE THERAPY
19. MAST CELL STABILISERS
Plays an important role
Most effective when began before the onset of symptoms,may need 14
days for clinical effects to occur
Until then topical antihistaminics and steroids can be used
Examples
1.cromolyn sodium QID
2.lodaxamide 0.1% QID
MOA Block influx along mast cell mem,inhibits degradation
S/E Burning/sting
LODAXAMIDE IS 2500 TIMES MORE POTENT
21. NSAIDS
TOPICAL
MOAinhibits cox pathway
Examples
--ketorolac 0.5%
--indomethacin 1%
--flubiprofen 0.03%
S/E burn/sting
ORAL
650 mg tid can be tried in severe to intractable cases along with mast cell
stabilisers
22. CYCLOSPORINE 2% QID
Severe to intractable VKC
MOAImmunosuppressive,T CELL inhibition
reduce collagen producn and coz apoptosis of fibroblasts
S/E burning sensation
Subjective and objectve improvement occurs in 3 days and complete
improvement will occur in 6 weeks
23. SURGICAL
SHIELD ULCER
--vision threatining complication of vkc
--treat with topical antibiotic and steriod eye ointment
--occlusive therapy
--if plaque forms in ulcer bed sup keratectomy may be beneficial for
epithelium healing
--non resolving shield ulcer may requrie keratectomy with amniotic
membrane grafting
GAINT PAPILLAE
--surgical excision
--cryotherapy for upper tarsus
--supratarsal steroid injection
--topical tacrolimus for refractile cases