PDF: Eye Allergies What is Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis ?

Eye Allergies What is Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis ?

November 3rd, 2008 by admin | Filed under Allergies

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a disease that affects many children, most often occurs during adolescence, and more frequently in boys. This is a form of severe eye allergies, which affect inward from the upper eyelids. VKC tends to affect people from Asia and Africa, the most common ancestry.

What are the symptoms of VKC?
The symptoms of VKC are similar to those of allergic conjunctivitis, although eye itching is more severe, as is sensitivity to light, watery eyes and sensation of “something in the eye”. There is frequently a whitish, stringy discharge from the eyes.

VKC occurs seasonally, frequently affecting people in the spring when the weather turns warm. People with VKC also commonly have seasonal allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and asthma.
The inner lining of the eyelids, or conjunctiva, are red and swollen, and may have thickened bumps called giant papillae. These are most frequently found under the upper eyelids in VKC.

What are the complications of VKC?
Because VKC affects other structures of the eye (not just the lining of the eyelids), such as the cornea, cataracts and glaucoma can occur, as well as ulcers on the cornea, which can result in blindness.

How is VKC diagnosed?
VKC is diagnosed in much the same way as allergic conjunctivitis, although the presence of more severe symptoms in a young child, with problems occurring mostly in the springtime, should be a clue of a more severe disease process. An ophthalmologist or optometrist may be needed to confirm the diagnosis of VKC, and assist the primary physician in the treatment of the patient.

How is VKC treated?
Treatment of VKC is very similar to the treatment of atopic conjunctivitis, although corticosteroids may be required more frequently in this disease. An ophthalmologist or optometrist should monitor people using steroid eye drops for any prolonged period of time, as these medications can also lead to severe side effects (such as glaucoma and cataract formation).

allergies, food allergies, allergy, allergy research, allergy dogs, dog allergies, food allergy, wheat allergy, gluten allergy, allergy symptoms, peanut allergy, latex allergy, dog food allergies, allergy relief

Sources:
Ono SJ, Abelson MB. Allergic conjunctivitis: Update on pathophysiology and prospects for future treatment. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005; 115:118-22.
Bielory L. Allergic and Immunologic Disorders of the Eye. Part II: Ocular Allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000; 106:1019-32.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

DO YOU WANT PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE INTO YOUR SITE?

<h2>Eye Allergies What is Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis ?</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a disease that affects many children, most often occurs during adolescence, and more frequently in boys. This is a form of severe eye <a title="allergies" href="http://911medicalcare.com/healthcare/allergies/">allergies</a>, which affect inward from the upper eyelids. VKC tends to affect people from Asia and Africa, the most common ancestry.
<p style="text-align: justify;">What are the symptoms of VKC? 
The symptoms of VKC are similar to those of allergic conjunctivitis, although eye itching is more severe, as is sensitivity to light, watery eyes and sensation of “something in the eye”. There is frequently a whitish, stringy discharge from the eyes.
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span id="more-170">VKC occurs seasonally, frequently affecting people in the spring when the weather turns warm. People with VKC also commonly have seasonal allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and <a title="asthma" href="http://911medicalcare.com/healthcare/asthma/">asthma</a>. 
The inner lining of the eyelids, or conjunctiva, are red and swollen, and may have thickened bumps called giant papillae. These are most frequently found under the upper eyelids in VKC.
<p style="text-align: justify;">What are the complications of VKC? 
Because VKC affects other structures of the eye (not just the lining of the eyelids), such as the cornea, cataracts and glaucoma can occur, as well as ulcers on the cornea, which can result in blindness.
<p style="text-align: justify;">How is VKC diagnosed? 
VKC is diagnosed in much the same way as allergic conjunctivitis, although the presence of more severe symptoms in a young child, with problems occurring mostly in the springtime, should be a clue of a more severe disease process. An <a title="ophthalmologist" href="http://911medicalcare.com/medicalcare/ophthalmologist/">ophthalmologist</a> or optometrist may be needed to confirm the diagnosis of VKC, and assist the primary physician in the treatment of the patient.
<p style="text-align: justify;">How is VKC treated? 
Treatment of VKC is very similar to the treatment of atopic conjunctivitis, although corticosteroids may be required more frequently in this disease. An ophthalmologist or optometrist should monitor people using steroid eye drops for any prolonged period of time, as these medications can also lead to severe side effects (such as glaucoma and cataract formation).
<p style="text-align: justify;">allergies, food allergies, allergy, allergy research, allergy dogs, dog allergies, food allergy, wheat allergy, gluten allergy, allergy symptoms, peanut allergy, latex allergy, dog food allergies, allergy relief
<p style="text-align: justify;">Sources: 
Ono SJ, Abelson MB. Allergic conjunctivitis: Update on pathophysiology and prospects for future treatment. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005; 115:118-22. 
Bielory L. Allergic and Immunologic Disorders of the Eye. Part II: Ocular Allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000; 106:1019-32.
<p style="text-align: justify;">DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition. <a href="http://www.socialmarker.com/?link=http://911medicalcare.com/allergies/eye-allergies-what-is-vernal-keratoconjunctivitis/&title=Eye+Allergies+What+is+Vernal+Keratoconjunctivitis+%3F&text=...&tags=" target="_blank"><img src= "http://www.socialmarker.com/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a><noscript><a href="http://www.socialmarker.com" >Social Bookmarking</a></noscript>
The article <a href="http://911medicalcare.com/allergies/eye-allergies-what-is-vernal-keratoconjunctivitis/">Eye Allergies What is Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis ?</a> is provided by <a href="http://911medicalcare.com" title="Manual Nurse and health Guidelines"> Manual Nurse and Health Guidelines</a>. The article from<a href="http://911medicalcare.com" title="Medical"> Medical</a> site is freely distributed for non-commercial purposes to include the source for the article and does not alter the content.

*copy-paste the code above into your post blog

Prevention of Allergies, Asthma and Food Allergies in Children

The ultimate goal of treatment is to prevent allergy symptoms occur in the first place. This usually...

Seasonal allergic to pollen

What is a Seasonal Allergy? A seasonal allergy is the trigger allergic reactions that usually only ...

All about Allergy, What is an Allergy?

The issue of allergies has become routine in our lives, and certainly most everyone has an idea of w...

Top 10 Dog Breeds for People with Dog Allergies

For some people, allergens present in the saliva of dogs and skin cells (dander) can cause allergies...

All about Allergy - Treatment of Allergies

The treatment of allergies is the kind of allergic disease in question. Often, allergy testing may h...