CORNEAL TOPOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN CHILDREN WITH VERNAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS: TERTIARY HOSPITAL REPORT FROM JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA

BACKGROUND: Vernal keratoconjuctivitis has a known association with keratoconus. OBJECTIVE: Study was conducted to evaluate corneal topographic characteristics of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and compare the corneal topographic indices in VKC subjects with normal subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Videokeratography was done in 210 consecutive VKC patients and 201 age and sex matched normal subjects by Carl Zeiss meditec inc USA to evaluate corneal topography. Other tests included visual acuity testing with Snellens chart, slit lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundus examination, measurement of central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure. Topographic indices were analyzed and compared using unpaired t-test among different groups. RESULT: Among 210 subjects with VKC, males comprised of 173 patients (82.3%) and mean age of presentation was 11.5 +/- 4.6 years with mixed VKC in 60%. Keratoconus-like topography was present in 64 patients (30.47%). CONCLUSION: Keratoconus-like topography was observed in very high proportion of patients of VKC.