$Unique_ID{BRK03897}
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$Title{Keratoconjunctivitis, Vernal}
$Subject{Keratoconjunctivitis, Vernal VKC Seasonal Conjunctivitis Spring
Ophthalmia Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) }
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Copyright (C) 1988, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

562:
Keratoconjunctivitis, Vernal

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Vernal
Keratoconjunctivitis) is not the name you expected.  Please check the synonym
list to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this
article.

Synonyms

     VKC
     Seasonal Conjunctivitis
     Spring Ophthalmia

Information on the following disease can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:

     Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis is a non-contagious, seasonal allergic
disorder usually occuring during the Spring or warm weather.  Major symptoms
include inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes, sensitivity to light and
intense itching.

Symptoms

Vernal Keratonconjunctivitis symptoms include inflammation of the outer
membrane of the eye.  This causes the eyes to become red and may cause
blurred vision.  The eyes become sensitive to light and itch intensely.
Usually both eyes are affected and cobblestone-like changes appear in the
upper palpebral conjunctiva.  In other cases, a gelatinous nodule may develop
in the tissue adjacent to the cornea (limbus).

Causes

The cause of Vernal Keratonconjunctivitis is a hypersensitivity or allergic
reaction of the eyes to airborne allergens.

Affected Population

Vernal Keratonconjunctivitis affects males and females in equal numbers.  It
is a common disorder occuring most often during the spring or summer.

Related Disorders

Symptoms of the following disorder can be similar to those of Vernal
Keratoconjunctivitis.  Comparisons may be useful for a differential
diagnosis.

Conjunctivitis or "Pink Eye" is caused by an infection of the outer
lining of the eye and eyelids from bacteria or viruses.  The eyes become red
and irritated with a sandy or burning feeling.  The disease may follow a cold
or sore throat, and is most common in children.  Sticky pus is visible in the
eye and can cause the eyelids to stick together.  Pink Eye is highly
contagious.

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis is symptomatic and supportive.
Allergies that can trigger onset of symptoms should be treated appropriately.

Therapies:  Investigational

Clinical and laboratory investigations of the drug cromolyn sodium in the
treatment of ocular allergies such as Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis are
underway.  The orphan drug Levocabastine is being used experimentally in the
treatment of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.  For more information on this drug
physicians may contact:

     Iolab Pharmaceuticals
     500 Iolab Drive
     Claremont, CA  91711

The FDA has given approval for testing of the orphan drug Lodoxamide
Tromethamine (Alomide Ophthalmic Solution) for treatment of Vernal
Keraconjunctivitis to Alcon Laboratories, Inc., 6201 South Freeway, Ft.
Worth, TX, 76134.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
December 1991.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate.  Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     NIH/National Eye Institute
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD 20892
     (301) 496-5248

     NIH/National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD 20892
     (301) 496-5717

References

INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.:  Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and
Co., 1987.  Pp. 1618-1619.

OCULAR ALLERGY AND MAST CELL STABILIZERS.  M.R. Allansmith, et al.; Surv
Ophthalmol (January-February, 1986, issue 30 (4)).  Pp. 229-244.

VERNAL KARATOCONJUNCTIVITIS:  NEW CORNEAL FINDINGS IN FRATERNAL TWINS.
W.N. Rosenthal, et al.; Cornea (1984-1985, issue 3 (4)).  Pp. 288-290.