Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC, also Spring catarrh, Vernal catarrh or Warm weather conjunctivitis) is a recurrent, bilateral, and self-limiting type of conjunctivitis (pink eye) having a periodic seasonal incidence.

Vernal keratopathy

Corneal involvement in VKC may be primary or secondary due to extension of limbal lesions. Vernal keratopathy includes 5 types of lesions.

Signs and symptoms

Cause

VKC is thought to be an allergic disorder in which IgE mediated mechanism play a role. Such patients often give family history of other atopic diseases such as hay fever, asthma or eczema, and their peripheral blood shows eosinophilia and increased serum IgE levels.

Risk factors

Pathology

Diagnosis

Classification

Based on severity, authors have classified VKC into clinical grades: Grade 0 - Absence of symptoms Grade 1 MILD - Symptoms but no corneal involvement Grade 2 MODERATE - Symptoms with photophobia but no corneal involvement Grade 3 SEVERE - Symptoms, photophobia, mild to moderate SPK's OR with Diffuse SPK or corneal ulcer

Treatment