title: Impact of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis on School Children in Egypt.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and its impact on school children in Egypt.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 3,706 students from six randomly selected schools of Menoufia were included where 126 had symptoms according to the VKC related symptoms questionnaire. Selected children were referred to a hospital for further assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of included children was 8.79±31.87 years, with a VKC prevalence of 3.3%, and male-to-female ratio of 2.3:1. The most frequently reported symptoms were ocular itching, followed by burning sensation, tearing, red eye, discharge, and photophobia. Signs vary between mild and severe cases; however, all cases had a negative impact on school attendance and performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of VKC differs according to the age group of included cases and the local temperature of the study area. School attendance, performance, lifestyle, and social activities were negatively affected by VKC.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Menoufia Faculty of Medicine , Shebin El Kom , Egypt.
authors.forename: Hatem M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Marey
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Menoufia Faculty of Medicine , Shebin El Kom , Egypt.
authors.forename: Sameh S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mandour
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Menoufia Faculty of Medicine , Shebin El Kom , Egypt.
authors.forename: Osama A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: El Morsy
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Menoufia Faculty of Medicine , Shebin El Kom , Egypt.
authors.forename: Hassan G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Farahat
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Menoufia Faculty of Medicine , Shebin El Kom , Egypt.
authors.forename: Shaimaa M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shokry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution
keywords: Burning sensation; itching; photophobia; vernal keratoconjunctivitis