Corneal complications of vernal catarrh.

Objective: To identify the magnitude and types of corneal complications of vernal catarrh and the extent of visual impairment caused by them.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Khyber Institute of Ophthalmic Medical Sciences (KIOMS), Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar, from March, 1999 to May, 2000.
Subjects and Methods: All cases of vernal catarrh who agreed to an informed consent were included in the study. Patients who were difficult to be examined by a slit lamp were excluded from the study. The diagnosis was made mainly on the basis of history and clinical examination. Slit lamp examination was done in every case together with fluorescein staining of cornea. The variables were recorded and statistically analyzed.
Results: Superficial punctate keratitis (45%) was the most common corneal complication. Visual impairment was more pronounced in cases with shield ulcers (14%) and corneal plaques (8%). A strong association with keratoconus (15%) was also noted. Corneal opacification (9%), hydrops (6%) and pseudogerentoxon (3%) were also found.
Conclusion: Corneal complications in VKC are common, potentially serious and may cause marked visual impairment.