Demography, clinical profile and compliance of patients of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in a tertiary eye care centre in Southern Karnataka

Objective: To describe demographic and clinical profile of patients with vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and to assess the compliance of treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis over a period of 1 year from May 2017 to April 2018. Results: Among 100 patients, VKC was more common among male (67.00%) than female (33.00%) patients with maximum cases seen between 6-10 years of age. Majority of cases reported in summer in the month of March to May (Total: 49.00%). Mixed form was commonest among all 66(66.00%) cases followed by limbal 18(18.00%) and palpebral form 16 (16.00%). Commonest symptom was redness (100%) followed by itching (98%) cases. Palpebral papillae were commonest sign. Mild grade of VKC is commonest. Family history of allergy was noted in 7% of cases. Conclusion: VKC is a bilateral recurrent disorder affects most commonly young males between ages of 6 to 10 years in which both IgE and cell mediated immunity play important roles. Association of family history of allergic disorders was less.VKC is more common in rural area.VKC is one of the leading causes of outpatient ophthalmic morbidity.VKC patients presents usually in a stage of mild to moderate grade. For persistent severe disease needs frequent follow-up. Keywords: Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis, Childhood allergic eye disease, Compliance, Southern Karnataka.