title: Long-term follow-up of patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to review the presenting features, treatment administered to, histopathologic findings, and complications encountered in a cohort of patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was a retrospective cohort series.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 20 patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis and a minimum follow-up of 3 years were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Conjunctival and corneal complications, visual acuity before and after surgery, and histopathologic features on conjunctival biopsy were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant keratopathy developed in 70% of patients, corneal neovascularization in 60%, fornix foreshortening in 25%, and symblepharon in 20% during the course of their disease. Eleven patients (12 eyes) required penetrating keratoplasty (3 for tectonic purposes and 8 for visual rehabilitation). Vision improved by four or more lines of Snellen acuity in four eyes, improved by two lines in two eyes, remained the same in five eyes, and worsened by two lines in one eye after keratoplasty. Cataract surgery was performed in seven patients (nine eyes) with vision improving by four or more lines in six patients (eight eyes).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atopic keratoconjunctivitis is a potentially blinding disease that may result in a poor visual outcome as a result of corneal complications. Elective surgical intervention may be of benefit and can be considered in those patients whose inflammation is well controlled.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cornea, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tugal-Tutkun
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity