Childhood allergic conjunctivitis impacts quality of life for both children and parents

This prospective case-control study looked at the clinical characteristics of children’s allergic conjunctivitis and the results of the PedsQL questionnaire for the same patients.

Study design

This was a prospective case-control study of children with allergic conjunctivitis (92 patients) and age-matched controls (96 children). The children's conjunctivitis—vernal, atopic, seasonal, or perennial—was classified. Clinical characteristics of the allergic conjunctivitis were recorded. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 (PedsQL) questionnaire was completed by each child and one parent.

Outcomes

Children with allergic conjunctivitis and their parents had lower quality of life scores than controls. Children with vernal or atopic conjunctivitis and their parents had worse quality of life compared with children with seasonal or perennial conjunctivitis. Corneal staining also was associated with worse quality of life for children with allergic conjunctivitis and their parents.

Limitations

While the study is age-matched, it is not gender-matched. The allergic conjunctivitis group had a much greater percentage of boys compared with the control group. In addition, while clinical findings in the allergic conjunctivitis groups were detailed, the length of time under treatment was not stated. It was unclear whether the clinical exam was at initial presentation or after treatment had begun.

Clinical significance

Children with allergic conjunctivitis endured worse quality of life compared with controls as did their parents. Further, children with allergic conjunctivitis had worse quality of life scores than those children with other pediatric eye diseases.