Verneal Keratoconjunctivitis (Spring Cattarrh)

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is a viral conjunctivitis caused by a group of adenoviruses. This family of adenoviruses contains different serotypes that can also cause pharyngoconjunctival fever and nonspecific follicular conjunctivitis.

Ans. Antibiotics

Ans.  A, B and C

Ans. Aqueous tear deficiency dry eye

Ans. B i.e. Adenovirus

Conjunctivitis

• Haemorrhagic conjunctivitis:
• Enterovirus,
• Adenovirus,
• Coxsackie virus
• Phylectenular conjunctivitis: TB
• Giant papillary conjunctivitis: Contact lens
• Angular conjunctivitis: Moraxella

Ans. is ‘a’ i.e., Corneal opacity

Vernal kerato conjunctivitis (spring cattarrh)

• Spring cattarrh is an allergic inflammation of conjunctiva which is characterized by recurrent, bilateral, inter‑stitial, selflimiting conjunctivitis that becomes aggravated during spring and summer period.
• It is considered to be Type I hypersensitivity reaction (immediate type) to exogenous allergens such as grass pollens.
• It is more common in boys and affects age group 4-20 years.
• More common in summer, hence the name spring catarrh looks a misnomer.
• Recently it is being labeled as “Warm weather conjunctivitis”.

Clinical features of spring catarrh

• Spring catarrh is characterized by marked itching & burning, Stringy (ropy) discharge, lacrimation, photo-phobia and heaviness of lids.
• Clinically spring catarrh is divided into three types : ‑

1. Palpebral form : – It is the most common types. The upper palpebral conjunctiva shows papillae (papillary hypertrophy with their characteristic appearance : – i) Lage & flat toped, ii) Cobble stone appearance (Pavement stone appearance). These papilla heal without scarring.
2. Bulbar form : – It is characterized by (i) Dusky red triangular congestion of bulbar conjunctiva in palpebral area; ii) Gelatinous thickened accumulation of tissue around the limbus; iii) Presence of discrete whitish raised dots along the limbus (Tranta’s spot).
3. Mixed form : – Both bulbar and palpebral manifestations occur together.

Corneal signs (Vernal keratopathy)

• Punctate epithelial keratitis
• Ulcerative vernal keratitis : shallow transverse ulcer (Shield ulcer)
• Vernal corneal plaques
• Subepithelial scarring
• Pseudogerontoxon: chracterized by a classical “cupid’s bow” outline.