eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Cornea

Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic: Follow-up

Author: Anne Chang-Godinich, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine
Coauthor(s): Michael B Raizman, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Inc
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 16, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients should be observed every few days or weeks until the ocular surface disease is stable.
  • When medically treating patients with steroids or cyclosporine, a regular interval survey for drug-related adverse effects and complications is indicated.

Deterrence/Prevention

  • Efforts to reduce or eliminate environmental allergen exposure must be addressed for optimal long-term control.

Complications

  • Complications result from persistent surface keratopathy, corneal scarring or thinning, keratoconus, cataracts, and symblepharon formation.
  • Medical treatment with corticosteroids can further promote the development of cataracts, glaucoma, and secondary corneal infections.

Prognosis

  • Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) may result in decreased vision or blindness from corneal complications.
  • Proper prophylactic measures, prompt effective treatment of exacerbations, and well-timed elective surgical intervention can reduce the incidence of poor vision and blindness.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to periodically examine patients with AKC
 


More on Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic

Overview: Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic
Treatment & Medication: Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic
Follow-up: Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic
Multimedia: Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic
References

References

  1. Foster CS, Calonge M. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. Aug 1990;97(8):992-1000. [Medline].

  2. Casey R, Abelson MB. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Int Ophthalmol Clin. Spring 1997;37(2):111-7. [Medline].

  3. Akpek EK, Dart JK, Watson S, et al. A randomized trial of topical cyclosporin 0.05% in topical steroid-resistant atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. Mar 2004;111(3):476-82. [Medline].

  4. Hingorani M, Moodaley L, Calder VL, Buckley RJ, Lightman S. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of topical cyclosporin A in steroid-dependent atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. Sep 1998;105(9):1715-20. [Medline].

  5. Hoang-Xuan T, Prisant O, Hannouche D, Robin H. Systemic cyclosporine A in severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. Aug 1997;104(8):1300-5. [Medline].

  6. Anzaar F, Gallagher MJ, Bhat P, Arif M, Farooqui S, Foster CS. Use of systemic T-lymphocyte signal transduction inhibitors in the treatment of atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Cornea. Sep 2008;27(8):884-8. [Medline].

  7. Power WJ, Tugal-Tutkun I, Foster CS. Long-term follow-up of patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. Apr 1998;105(4):637-42. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

atopic keratoconjunctivitis, AKC, bilateral conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, systemic allergy

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Anne Chang-Godinich, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine
Anne Chang-Godinich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Michael B Raizman, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Inc
Michael B Raizman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Uveitis Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Medical Society, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Andrew W Lawton, MD, Medical Director of Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Section of Ophthalmology, Baptist Eye Center, Baptist Health Medical Center
Andrew W Lawton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Arkansas Medical Society, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Christopher J Rapuano, MD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Co-Chairman of the Cornea Service, Co-Chairman of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute
Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Eye Bank Association of America, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Philadelphia County Medical Society
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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