Long-term visual outcome of childhood blepharokeratoconjunctivitis

PURPOSE: To assess the visual outcome of childhood blepharokeratoconjunctivitis. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. METHODS: We reviewed visual acuity and corneal examination results for 23 patients (mean age 19 +/- 4 years, range, 11 to 26 years) who had healed more than three years previously (up to 15 years). RESULTS: The disease involved 29 eyes and was unilateral in 17 children. Corneal sequelae (neovascularization or scars) involved 18 eyes (62%) of 15 children (65%). Mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 (range, 20/100 to 20/20). Best-corrected visual acuity was no more than 20/30 in seven eyes (24%) of seven children (30%). Fifteen eyes (52%) of 13 children (45%) had astigmatisms of at least 0.75 diopters attributable to corneal scars. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal and visual sequelae are frequent in childhood blepharokeratoconjunctivitis. Early diagnosis and specific treatment are mandatory.