Ophthalmic Complications of Atopic Dermatitis in Children.

Wydanie 1/2022
str. 19 – 22

Autorzy: Martyna Soloch, Anna Gotz-Więckowska.

Katedra Okulistyki i Klinika Okulistyczna Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
Kierownik: prof. dr hab. n. med. Jarosław Kocięcki

Summary: 

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, eczematous skin condition that appears in childhood and persists into adulthood. Apart from eczema its phenotype can encompass external ocular signs such as periorbital darkening or Dennie-Morgan palpebral fold. Due to its high prevalence as well as chronic and recurrent character it is significant to mind its consequences. Ocular comorbidities are more frequent in atopic patients compared to their age-matched control groups. Atopic dermatitis is associated with many ophthalmic complications, such as blepharitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, keratoconus, subcapsular cataract, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and susceptibility to infections. Incidence of these complications is well established in adults, but there was a necessity to review the published literature to gather information about their manifestations and prevalence in children. Atopic dermatitis and its comorbidities are correlated with persistent itching and thus extensive eye rubbing which can possibly lead to retinal detachment and keratoconus, so it is of great importance to know how to relieve it. Aim of this article is to draw attention to the most serious ocular comorbidities associated with atopic dermatitis in children, their pathophysiology and epidemiology. It is an important issue since appropriate diagnosis and prophylaxis or further treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications including loss of vision.