title: Atopic keratoconjunctivitis.
abstract: The clinical presentation and severe complications of atopic keratoconjunctivitis, a potentially blinding disorder, were characterized in a 9-year retrospective study of 45 patients seen at a large referral center. Twenty-six patients had subepithelial fibrosis, 13 with symblepharon and/or fornix fore-shortening. Thirty-four patients had severe keratopathy, which included neovascularization in 17 patients. Persistent epithelial defect was another major complication, occurring in 21 eyes and causing severe loss of vision. These patients required interdisciplinary therapeutic strategies; systemic antihistamine therapy and strict environmental controls were the keys to success in most cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calonge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists