Corneal complications of vernal catarrh.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the magnitude and types of corneal complications of vernal catarrh and the extent of visual impairment caused by them.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Khyber Institute of Ophthalmic Medical Sciences (KIOMS), Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar, from March, 1999 to May, 2000.


METHODS
All cases of vernal catarrh who agreed to an informed consent were included in the study. Patients who were difficult to be examined by a slit lamp were excluded from the study. The diagnosis was made mainly on the basis of history and clinical examination. Slit lamp examination was done in every case together with fluorescein staining of cornea. The variables were recorded and statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
Superficial punctate keratitis (45%) was the most common corneal complication. Visual impairment was more pronounced in cases with shield ulcers (14%) and corneal plaques (8%). A strong association with keratoconus (15%) was also noted. Corneal opacification (9%), hydrops (6%) and pseudogerentoxon (3%) were also found.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal complications in VKC are common, potentially serious and may cause marked visual impairment.
Iqbal
Arshad
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Agency Headquarter Hospital, Landikotal. kingarshad@hotmail.com
Jan
Sanaullah
S
Babar
Tariq Farooq
TF
Khan
Muhammad Daud
MD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male