Skin prick test and immunotherapy in children with allergic eye disease

Authors: TOLGA KOCATÜRK, ÖZLEM KOCATÜRK, VOLKAN DAYANIR, KAYI ELİAÇIK

Abstract: To investigate the necessity and efficacy of immunotherapy in children with allergic eye disease. Materials and methods: The study included 57 patients with allergic eye disease who were followed by the Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Pediatrics at Adnan Menderes University Hospital. Blood and skin prick tests were carried out on 43 patients. Results: There were 38 male and 19 female patients with a mean age of 11 ± 4 years. The mean follow-up was 31 ± 3 months and 28 ± 4 months in 38 vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and 19 perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) patients, respectively. Immunotherapy was administered to 8 (42%) PAC patients and 4 (17%) VKC patients. Patients that received immunotherapy did not need further medical treatment for their allergies. Conclusion: A skin prick test should be considered in the clinical evaluation of an allergic eye disease, especially if it is accompanied by other allergic diseases. Immunotherapy should be considered as a possible treatment option.

Keywords: Allergic agents, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, perennial allergic conjunctivitis, skin prick test, immunotherapy

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