Ophthalmologic Manifestations of Atopic Dermatitis Workup

  • Author: R Scott Lowery, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 14, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is usually a clinical one based on history and physical findings.
  • Laboratory tests that may be of use early in the diagnostic process include various types of skin testing and serum testing for elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE).
  • Patients with atopic dermatitis display immediate skin test reactivity and may display skin blanching to cholinergic agents.
  • Culture of eyes with conjunctivitis associated with atopic dermatitis usually grows Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Once a clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis has been established, lab testing is generally unnecessary.
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Histologic Findings

Examination of histopathologic sections early in the disease process shows parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, intercellular and intracellular fluid accumulation, and perivascular infiltration of the dermis and epidermis by lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. Later in the disease, observation reveals hyperkeratosis, dyskeratosis, acanthosis, and a thickened epidermis. Lysosomes have been demonstrated by electron microscopy.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

R Scott Lowery, MD  Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Arkansas Children's Hospital

R Scott Lowery, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and Arkansas Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jack L Wilson, PhD  Distinguished Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine

Jack L Wilson, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Anatomists, American Association of Clinical Anatomists, and American Heart Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

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.

Christopher J Rapuano, MD  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Cornea Service, Co-Director 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, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; EyeGate Pharma Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Bausch & Lomb Consulting; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching

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.

References

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