Angiographic Evaluation of Inflammation in Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: Grading of disease activity in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is limited by intra- and inter-observer variability. The aim of this study was to identify angiographic parameters to help evaluate inflammation and disease activity.

METHODS

In 12 patients (4 with active, 2 with inactive AKC, and 6 controls), disease activity were assessed using a validated biomicroscopic grading scale. Imaging of upper tarsal conjunctiva was undertaken using color photography, fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

RESULTS

Extravascular ICG leakage only occurred in patients with active disease (mean 84.6 ± 28.8 s) except in one patient with inactive disease but only after 6 min. Transepithelial leakage of fluorescein occurred in all patients with active AKC (mean 63.5 ± 17.8 s) but not in patients with inactive disease or controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Conjunctival transepithelial leakage of fluorescein and extravascular interstitial accumulation of ICG may be useful markers of disease activity patients in AKC.