PREVALENCE AND GENDER DISPARITY OF VERNAL KERATO-CONJUNCTIVITIS IN PAKISTANI CHILDREN: A TERTIARY CARE STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and gender-wise persisting rate of Vernal Kerato-conjunctivitis among children attending outpatient Eye departments at two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi.

Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design conducted in the outpatient Ophthalmology department at two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, from 15th May to 15th June 2025. Informed consent was obtained from all participants before entry into the study through a structured questionnaire. The participants were selected randomly from the age of 1 day to 10 years.  Results: This study included 100 patients in the outpatient Eye department at two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi. Out of 100 patients, 14 were found with Vernal Kerato-conjunctivitis. Out of 100, all-age group children, 28% belonged to the age group of 0-5 years, 50% belonged to the age group of 6-10 years and 22% belonged to the age of above 10 years. Recommendations: Effective VKC prevention in children requires allergen avoidance, eye hygiene maintenance, early diagnosis through awareness programs, and improved healthcare access, particularly for high-risk groups like boys aged 6-10 years with greater outdoor exposure. Conclusion: Vernal Kerato-conjunctivitis is an allergic disorder affecting children. It is fairly a more common disease in males than females. It has a lot of complications, which need to be diagnosed and managed properly in time to avoid marked visual impairment.

Keywords: Prevalence, Vernal kerato-Conjunctivitis, Gender persisting, Children