eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Cornea
Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic: Follow-up
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
- For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Eye and Vision Center and Skin, Hair, and Nails Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Pinkeye, Eye Allergies, and Eczema.
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 |
| « Previous Page | Next Page » |
References
Foster CS, Calonge M. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. Aug 1990;97(8):992-1000. [Medline].
Casey R, Abelson MB. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Int Ophthalmol Clin. Spring 1997;37(2):111-7. [Medline].
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].
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].
Hoang-Xuan T, Prisant O, Hannouche D, Robin H. Systemic cyclosporine A in severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. Aug 1997;104(8):1300-5. [Medline].
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].
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
Follow-up: Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic