Ricerc@Sapienza

Abstract
Background: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare chronic conjunctivitis characterized
by a predominantly eosinophil-mediated inflammatory disorder that could
develop critical complications such as blindness. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role
in the pathogenesis of several allergic diseases. The role of oxidative stress has been
hypothesized in VKC, but no study explored this issue. Furthermore, cyclosporine A
(CsA) exerts an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action on the conjunctiva.

Background:
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare ocular surface inflammatory disease that affects mainly boys in the first decade of life. Clinical observations show that it generally regresses spontaneously with the onset of puberty, but therapeutic measures must be taken before then to control the course of the disease.
Purpose:

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) includes a wide spectrum of clinical entities characterized by different incidence, age
of onset, natural course, clinical outcome and response to treatment. Taken together, they represent one of the most
frequent ocular surface diseases affecting more than 30% of the young-adult population and show an increasing
incidence over the years. Moreover, comorbidities with other systemic atopic conditions such as asthma, atopic
dermatitis and rhinitis require a multidisciplinary approach. Recent advances in the knowledge of the pathogenic

Purpose of review: During allergic reaction, nervous and immune systems mutually interact through release of mediators, including neurotrophic factors and nerve growth factor (NGF). These mediators modulate allergic reaction through binding their receptors expressed by immune and structural cells and by stimulating neuropeptide release by nerves. The role of neuropeptides and NGF has been demonstrated in allergic asthma and rhinitis, and, to a lesser extent, in allergic conjunctivitis.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare, recurrent and multifactorial ocular disease, which typically flares up during spring and affects especially male children and adolescents. This condition does not usually respond to common treatments with antihistamines or mast cells stabilizers, whereas corticosteroids have effective results. Corticosteroids need to be carefully administered, to avoid adverse effects, mainly the secondary development of glaucoma, cataracts, or infections.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe disease with a prevalence of < 1 case out of 10,000 in Europe, which occurs mainly in pediatric age and is characterized by a severe and often bilateral chronic inflammation of the ocular surface. The diagnosis is generally confirmed by the finding at the ocular examination of conjunctival hyperemia, papillary hypertrophy in the tarsal conjunctiva, giant papillae, papillae in the limbus region.

We report the cases of four children affected by Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) treated with Omalizumab with resolution of ocular
signs and symptoms. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic conjunctivitis, not responding to topical antihistamines and frequently
misdiagnosed and mistreated. The effect of Omalizumab in patients with VKC should be better investigated and well-

BACKGROUND:
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic and often severe bilateral conjunctivitis. VKC etiology remains still unclear although endocrine, genetic, neurogenic and environmental factors have been implied. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble prohormone whose main function is the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin D in children affected by VKC compared to the healthy children and investigate the relationship between its levels and disease severity.
METHODS: