Posters

Pediatric ocular allergy - casuistic report of a tertiary hospital

Poster Details

First Author: M.Portela PORTUGAL

Co Author(s): P. Silva   C. Bruxelas   P. Nunes   J. Portelinha           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To characterise the disease and to evaluate the impact of ocular allergy in the pediatric population of a tertiary hospital in Lisbon.

Setting:

Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental (CHLO), Lisbon, Portugal.

Methods:

Retrospective study of all the patients under 18 years of age who visited the emergency room (ER) of CHLO between January 2017 and July 2019 and whose diagnosis was codified as allergic conjunctivitis. Data, such as demographic characteristics, number of visits, symptoms and signs, medical prescription and follow up were analysed. All pediatric patients who were followed on an outpatient basis for allergic conjunctivitis during the same time period were also included.

Results:

341 ER visits by 264 patients were included (average age 8,8 years; 66% boys). 60,3% had red eye and 57,7% itching. 78,1% had conjunctival papillae and 16,8% Horner-Trantas dots. 84,9% were treated with antihistamines and 63,9% with steroids. 5,8% were referred to the consultation. During the same period, 18 children were followed on an outpatient basis (μ=6,7±6,55 appointments/child; average age 7,8 years; 78% boys). 61,1% had giant papillae and 44,4% had Horner-Trantas dots. Corneal ulcers, decreased vision and hypertension were found in 22%, 27,8% and 5,5%, respectively. 83% were medicated with antihistamines, 66,6% with steroids and 27,7% with cyclosporine.

Conclusions:

The allergic ocular disease in the pediatric population of CHLO rarely led to a second visit to the ER or an appointment because it mostly presented itself as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. However, most of the patients followed on an outpatient basis had vernal keratoconjunctivitis, resulting in frequent exacerbations, serious complications and need for long term follow up and medication with a consequent impairment in quality of life and school attendance.

Financial Disclosure:

None