New insights into childhood Vernal keratoconjunctivitis-associated factors.

The purpose of this study was to test for detectable serum levels of antibodies usually associated with immune-related diseases in children with Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and seek for their family history of allergies and autoimmune disorders. The association of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) with VKC was also investigated. We enrolled 181 VKC children and assessed total and specific IgE, antithyroglobulin (AbTG), antithyroidperoxidase (AbTPO), antitransglutaminase (tTG), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) by standard procedures.

Treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis with 1% topical cyclosporine in an Italian cohort of 197 children.

The purpose of our study was to verify the efficacy of prolonged cycles of 1% topical cyclosporine in improving severe form of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in childhood and investigate for factors affecting the response to therapy. We conducted an open trial involving 197 children with severe VKC, who received topical cyclosporine 1% for 4 months. Ocular subjective symptoms (SS) and objective signs (OS) were scored in all children at entry, 2 wks and 4 months.

Efficacy of 1.25% and 1% topical cyclosporine in the treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis in childhood.

Cyclosporine eyedrops 2% have been used for treatment of corticosteroid-resistant vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) cases. The purpose of our study was to verify the efficacy of 1.25% vs.