Development and testing of the quality of life in children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis questionnaire.

Purpose: To develop and validate a questionnaire that measures health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Design: Prospective, observational case series.

Methods: An initial list of 42 items was developed and administered to 30 children with active VKC (six girls and 24 boys; mean age, nine +/- two years).

Hyperosmolar conjunctival provocation for the evaluation of nonspecific hyperreactivity in healthy patients and patients with allergy.

Background: Tissue hyperreactivity of target organs to nonspecific stimuli is known to be an important factor in influencing the clinical picture of allergic disease.

Objective: To identify the sensitivity and specificity of a hyperosmolar conjunctival provocation test in predicting conjunctival hyperreactivity and to relate this reactivity to the presence of ocular discomfort in subjects with and without allergy.

Methods: In 50 healthy patients and 19 patients with allergic conjunctivitis during remission phase, symptoms of ocular discomfort triggered by nonspecific stimuli were identified and graded with a discomfort score.

Toll-like receptors and the eye.

Purpose Of Review: This review will describe the structure, expression/distribution and functional activity of Toll-like receptors, in particular in the ocular structures. It will also discuss innate and adaptive immune responses, by exploring the possible modulation/regulation of innate and adaptive immunity by Toll-like receptors, in view of recent findings observed in the ocular surface.

Recent Findings: Current knowledge indicates that Toll-like receptors represent essential elements in host defence against pathogens, a prerequisite to the induction of adaptive immune responses.