Vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Nigerians: 109 consecutive cases.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis was the most common conjunctival disease seen over a 2 year period (January 1997-December 1998) at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. One hundred and nine consecutive patients were seen with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. There was a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. The age range of the patients was 5 months to 38 years with a mean age of 15.5 +/- 8.3 years (SD). Of the patients 54.1% were children. Itching was the most common symptom, followed by redness, tearing, aching eye and photophobia. Ninety patients (82.6%) had predominantly tarsal papillae, while the others had mixed and limbal papillae. A history of atopic diseases such as asthma and rhinitis was present in only five patients (4.5%). There was no patient with corneal ulcer or scarring. Although the complications were few, health education of the patients about the dangers of self medication with steroids should be emphasized.
Ukponmwan
Catherine U
CU
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, PMB 1154, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. kateukponmwan@yahoo.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution