Clinical grading of atopic keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), the most severe and chronic form of ocular surface allergy-related disorder, is the ocular surface complication that some atopic dermatitis patients can suffer. Its wide range of severity, from mild and occasional problems to persistent and intense inflammation, makes it difficult to appropriately select uniform patients for clinical studies. This article proposes a new classification system for AKC based on clinical severity.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent reports on AKC have contributed to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations, and are offering new therapeutic candidates for AKC. No reports, however, have been found that address a classification of this disease.

SUMMARY: A new definition and classification for AKC is presented by this review, based on clinical severity, grading the main symptoms and signs. It intends to serve as a first forum of discussion among clinicians and other scientists working in the field of ocular surface inflammation. The final intention is to have a common language helping develop efficient clinical trials leading to successful approval of new therapeutic compounds for this blinding ocular surface condition.