Abstract
Objectives: To determine the tear level of tryptase (a marker of mast cell activation) in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) before and after treatment. In addition, eosinophil counts in conjunctival scrapings and ocular surface temperature before and after treatment were studied. Patients and Methods: A total of 20 patients, 7 years or older with VKC, were included in this study. Tear samples for tryptase determination were collected before and 2 weeks after treatment with 4% disodium cromoglycate eyedrops and 0.1% fluorometholone eyedrops. In addition, conjunctival scrapings were obtained for microscopic evaluation, and measurement of the ocular surface temperature was performed before and 2 weeks after treatment. One patient was excluded because the patient did not receive topical treatment. Control tear samples were collected from 20 normal control patients for tryptase determination. Results: There were 19 patients with VKC (17 males, 2 females). The age range was 7 to 17 years with a mean age of 9 years. The mean number of eosinophils prior to initiation of therapy was 11.37 eosinophils with a range of 1 to 34 per high-power field. Following treatment, the mean number of eosinophils was 3.42 eosinophils per high-power field with a range of 0 to 11 (P
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 338-342 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Archives of Ophthalmology |
Volume | 119 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology