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Query: UMLS:C0022568 (keratitis)
 5,133 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is presently considered as an individual nosological entity of ocular allergosis, which is associated with the systemic disease - atopic dermatitis. The clinical features of corneal lesions were studied in 40 patients with AKC. Those associated with the systemic pattern of an atopic process as a severe form of ocular allergosis were revealed. A classification of the clinical forms of corneal lesions in AKC as limbitis, epithelial microerosions, epithelial keratopathy, superficial keratitis in mild forms of the disease, is presented. The severe forms of AKC were characterized by corneal manifestations: extensive keratopathy, stromal keratitis with neovascularization without ulceration, corneal infiltrates and ulcers of bacterial and herpetic etiology.
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PMID:[Clinical forms of corneal abnormalities in atopic keratoconjunctivitis]. 1807 59

Allergic diseases have greatly increased in industrialized countries. About 30% of people suffer from allergic symptoms and 40%-80% of them have symptoms in the eyes. Atopic conjunctivitis can be divided into seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) and perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC). The treatment of SAC is simple; antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents, or chromoglycate. In severe cases of SAC, subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy is helpful. PAC needs longer therapy, often year round, with mast cell stabilizers, antihistamines, and sometimes local steroids. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis is a more severe disease showing chronic blepharitis often connected with severe keratitis. It needs, in many cases, continuous treatment of the lid eczema and keratoconjunctivitis. Blepharitis is treated with tacrolimus or pimecrolimus ointment. Conjunctivitis additionally needs corticosteroids and, if needed, cyclosporine A (CsA) drops are administered for longer periods. Basic conjunctival treatment is with mast cell-stabilizing agents and in addition, antihistamines are administered. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is another chronic and serious allergic disease that mainly affects children and young people. It is a long-lasting disease which commonly subsides in puberty. It demands intensive therapy often for many years to avoid serious complicating corneal ulcers. Treatment is mast cell-stabilizing drops and additionally antihistamines. In relapses, corticosteroids are needed. When the use of corticosteroids is continuous, CsA drops should be used, and in relapses, corticosteroids should be used additionally. Nonallergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis (NAEC) is a less known, but rather common, ocular disease. It affects mostly middle-aged and older women. The eye symptoms of NAEC are largely similar to those seen in chronic allergic conjunctivitis. Basic therapy is mast cell-stabilizing drops. Eosinophilic inflammation needs additional corticosteroids. In severe cases, CsA drops are recommended. Antihistamines should be avoided. It is important to recognize the different forms of allergic ocular diseases and to start the treatment early and intensively enough to avoid chronicity of the disease and accompanying tissue destruction.
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PMID:Updates in the treatment of ocular allergies. 2143 49

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is a potentially blinding disease characterized by a bilateral chronic keratoconjunctivitis associated with atopic dermatitis. The disease usually manifests as severe itching and burning, excessive tearing, foreign body sensation, and mucoid discharge. The clinical characteristics of AKC show a broad spectrum including lid dermatitis, chronic blepharitis, cicatrizing conjunctivitis with fornix foreshortening and symblepharon formation, punctate epithelial keratitis, persistent epithelial defects, corneal scarring and neovascularization, lipid keratopathy, conjunctivalization of peripheral cornea, and peripheral ulcerative keratitis. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanism in AKC involves a combination of type-I IgE-mediated, and type-IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions. The immunoregulatory defect responsible for the overproduction of allergen-specific IgE antibody, the key component responsible for antigen binding, and subsequent mast cell degranulation, is probably multifactorial. The histopathologic characteristics of the conjunctiva in AKC include a mast cell and eosinophil invasion of the epithelium, epithelial pseudotubule formation, and prominent mast cell and mononuclear cell infiltration of the substantia propria. A number of ocular conditions have been reported to be associated with AKC, including keratoconus, herpes simplex keratitis, and cataracts. Successful long-term control of this potentially blinding disease requires a multidisciplinary approach involving systemic and environmental aspects. Scrupulous long-term environmental control of allergens is the single most important aspect in the management of patients with AKC. Systemic anti-histamine therapy, and long-term topical mast cell stabilizing therapy are also mandatory. Topical steroids should be reserved for exacerbations of the disease.
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PMID:Atopic keratoconjunctivitis. 2282 13

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic noninfectious inflammatory condition and is one of the most severe ophthalmic complications associated with atopic dermatitis. It requires prompt and effective treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. Complications of atopic keratoconjunctivitis include cataracts, keratoconus, infectious keratitis, blepharitis, tear dysfunction, and steroid-induced glaucoma. All treatment for atopic keratoconjunctivitis should be managed in conjunction with an ophthalmologist, and immediate referral is indicated when there is moderate to severe irritation, increased redness, discharge, or any visual symptoms. Treatment options include a combination of mast cell inhibitors, antihistamines, corticosteroids, and calcineurin inhibitors.
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PMID:Atopic keratoconjunctivitis: A review. 2434 54