Vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Nigerians: 109 consecutive cases.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis was the most common conjunctival disease seen over a 2 year period (January 1997-December 1998) at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. One hundred and nine consecutive patients were seen with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. There was a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. The age range of the patients was 5 months to 38 years with a mean age of 15.5 +/- 8.3 years (SD). Of the patients 54.1% were children. Itching was the most common symptom, followed by redness, tearing, aching eye and photophobia. Ninety patients (82.6%) had predominantly tarsal papillae, while the others had mixed and limbal papillae. A history of atopic diseases such as asthma and rhinitis was present in only five patients (4.5%). There was no patient with corneal ulcer or scarring. Although the complications were few, health education of the patients about the dangers of self medication with steroids should be emphasized.