Vernal keratoconjunctivitis-like disease in adults.

Purpose: To identify clinical, demographic, immunologic, and health-related quality-of-life data from a cohort of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) patients with the onset of the disease after puberty (VKC-like disease).

Design: Retrospective, observational case series.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with late-onset VKC-like disease from among 600 consecutive VKC patients.

Immunopathogenesis of ocular allergy: a schematic approach to different clinical entities.

Purpose Of Review: The immunopathogenesis of ocular allergic disorders is generally related to the specific immunoglobulin E-mediated mast cell activation and the following cascade of inflammatory mediators. Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis, however, are the only ocular diseases to involve solely type I hypersensitivity. The other main forms, vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis, have a more complex immunological basis and a chronic inflammatory component.

Case series of 406 vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients: a demographic and epidemiological study.

Purpose: To evaluate the specific allergic sensitization and epidemiological characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Methods: This retrospective non-comparative case series included 406 VKC patients. Data included patient and family histories, and results of allergic tests.

Altered expression of neurotransmitter receptors and neuromediators in vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Background: There is growing evidence that autonomic innervation is involved in the pathogenesis of mucus hypersecretion, goblet cell hyperplasia, and conjunctival hyperreactivity.

Objective: To determine the expression of neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter receptors in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) tissues to evaluate whether neurogenic inflammation plays a role in this ocular atopic-related disorder.

Methods: Biopsy specimens of upper tarsal conjunctiva from 8 VKC patients with active inflammation and from 4 healthy subjects were processed for immunohistochemistry using anti-M1, anti-M2, and anti-M3 muscarinic receptors; beta1-adrenergic receptor; vasoactive intestinal peptide; nerve growth factor; and protein gene product 9.