The 6-year-old boy's vision dropped to 0.3 due to spring catarrhal keratoconjunctivitis

I rubbed my eyes frequently and went to the hospital for a check-up. It was found that my vision was declining. It turned out to be spring catarrhal keratoconjunctivitis.

In early April, Ms. Gao discovered that her 6-year-old son Longlong (pseudonym) had been rubbing his eyes more and more frequently, and his eyes were red. Realizing something was wrong, she hurriedly took her son to the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University for a check-up.

The naked eye visual acuity test found that Longlong's right eye vision was 0.5 and the left eye vision was 0.3. Long Fengjiao, deputy chief physician of ocular surface and corneal disease, found that Longlong's upper eyelid conjunctiva was congested and papillary hyperplasia was observed, with giant papillae; the bulbar conjunctiva was congested, and the corneal epithelium was obviously turbid and rough. The preliminary diagnosis was spring catarrhal conjunctivitis. After checking the past medical history, it was found that Longlong came to the hospital for itchy eyes in October last year. At that time, it was found that he had spring catarrhal conjunctivitis due to dust mite allergy, but he did not have regular follow-up after taking the medicine. Now spring catarrhal conjunctivitis has returned again.

"Why did he get sick again?" Ms. Gao was very puzzled. Then, remembering the recent rise in temperature, she directly changed her son's clothes into spring and summer quilts and spring clothes that had been placed in the closet for a winter. "Could this be the reason?" Director Long Fengjiao said that the quilts and clothes had been placed there for a winter and there were many dust mites in them, so this action was most likely the cause.

"Spring catarrhal keratoconjunctivitis is a bilateral, seasonal, recurrent allergic keratoconjunctivitis, mostly affecting children and adolescents. The most prominent symptom is unbearable itching in both eyes, accompanied by a burning sensation, which is worse in hot weather or after rubbing the eyes. Other symptoms include tearing, fear of light, and increased sticky secretions." Director Long Fengjiao introduced that Longlong has many huge nipples on his upper eyelids, which cause itchy eyes. Due to frequent rubbing of the eyes, the nipples rub against the cornea, causing the corneal epithelium to become rough, affecting vision. If not treated in time, the corneal epithelium may be damaged or even infected, and the impact on vision will be irreversible.

After a week of medication, when Longlong was checked again, his cornea had returned to smoothness, his right eye vision had returned to 1.0, and his left eye vision had returned to 0.8.

Director Long Fengjiao reminded that compared with general allergic conjunctivitis, spring catarrhal keratoconjunctivitis is relatively more serious and can affect the cornea, thereby damaging vision and even causing blindness. The most fundamental preventive measure is to "get away from allergens". It is necessary to improve the home environment, such as cleaning the room and bedding regularly to avoid the production of a large number of dust mites; pay attention to personal hygiene and eye hygiene, wash hands and face frequently, and do not rub your eyes with your hands; wear masks and goggles in environments with a lot of lint, dust, and pollen; it is best not to wear contact lenses during the season change, especially cosmetic contact lenses. If you must wear them, it is recommended to shorten the use time as much as possible; with a healthy and balanced diet, a regular lifestyle, and appropriate physical exercise, by enhancing personal resistance, prevent allergies. Once the disease occurs, you must seek medical attention in time, take medication according to the doctor's advice, and regularly review and adjust the medication. Do not stop taking the medication at will.