title: T-cell characterization in chronic allergic eye disease.
abstract: Chronic allergic eye disease encompasses several disorders, but it is vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) that have sight-threatening sequelae. T cells, eosinophils, and mast cells are all found in the conjunctiva, and are thought to play a role in disease pathogenesis. Recently, the conjunctival epithelium has also been considered to play a key role. New and effective therapeutic strategies for the future for these patients depend on achieving a greater understanding of the roles and interactions of the cell populations in these sight-threatening disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road, London, EC1V 2PD, UK. s.lightman@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lightman
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology*