Dr.Archana Teresa P, A17931
Purpose: To identify factors influencing VKC severity in children and young adults at a tertiary eye hospital. Methods: Symptoms and signs were scored clinically. VKC onset age and other variables were noted. Results: In 75 VKC patients (62 males, 13 females, mean age 10.08 ± 4.5 years), the mean scores of symptoms and signs were 2.4 ± 0.09 and 2.08 ± 0.09 respectively. Females had a higher mean sign score (2.46 ± 0.22) than males (2.0 ± 0.09) (P=0.048). In 37 financially constrained patients, higher mean scores of symptoms (2.65 ± 0.11) and signs (2.38 ± 0.12) were noted compared to 2.26 ± 0.17 and 1.79 ± 0.11 respectively in 38 financially sound patients (P=0.03). VKC onset occurred at 4.63 ± 0.49 years in 52 patients who played frequently in sun/sand compared to 8.04 ± 1.04 years in 23 patients who did not. Conclusions: Patient gender, financial status and behavioural traits possibly influence VKC severity and onset age in children and young adults
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