Eye Symptoms (eye + symptom)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The safety of sublingual immunotherapy with one or multiple pollen allergens in children

ALLERGY, Issue 12 2008
F. Agostinis
Background:, Since the majority of allergic patients are polysensitized, it is often necessary to prescribe immunotherapy with multiple allergens. It is crucial to know if the administration of multiple allergens with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) increases the risk of side-effects in children. Methods:, Consecutive children with respiratory allergy because of pollens, receiving SLIT for multiple or single allergens were followed-up in a postmarketing survey. Inclusion criteria were those for prescribing SLIT according to guidelines. Parents recorded in a diary card the side-effects (eye symptoms, rhinitis/ear itching, asthma, oral itching/swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis). The side-effects were graded as mild, moderate and severe. Results:, Four hundred and thirty-three children (285 male, age range 3,18 years) receiving SLIT were surveyed. Of them, 179 received a single extract, and 254 multiple allergens. The total number of doses given was 40 169 (17 143 with single allergen). Overall, 178 episodes were reported. Of them, 76 occurred with the single allergen (42.46% patients, 4.43/1000 doses) and 102 (40.3% patients, 4.42/1000 doses) with multiple allergens (P = NS). 165 episodes (92.5%) were mild and self-resolving and were equally distributed in the two groups. In 13 cases, the events were judged of moderate severity and medical advice was required. Three patients discontinued SLIT, despite the local side-effects being mild. No emergency treatment was required at all. Conclusion:, The use of multiple allergens for SLIT does not increase the rate of side-effects in children. [source]


Relationship between eye symptoms and blepharospasm: A multicenter case,control study

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 12 2005
Davide Martino MD
Abstract Although patients with primary blepharospasm (BSP) commonly report experiencing ocular symptoms before the onset of orbicular spasms, the precise frequency and pathogenic role of this subjective ocular discomfort are poorly understood. We conducted a multicenter case,control study to investigate symptoms related to disorders of the anterior segment of the eye, administering a questionnaire to 165 patients with BSP and 180 age- and gender-matched control patients with hemifacial spasm. On a validation sample, our questionnaire yielded high accuracy in detecting eye diseases (predominantly, dry eye syndrome) using detailed ophthalmological examination as the criterion. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between ocular symptoms at disease onset and BSP. Ocular symptoms starting in the year preceding disease onset (short-latency symptoms) showed a stronger association with BSP than ocular symptoms occurring earlier in time (long-latency symptoms). The association was stronger when short-latency symptoms developed from 40 to 59 years of age, whereas this was not observed for long-latency symptoms. Our findings support the view that eye symptoms associated with BSP result from eye diseases and may be involved in the pathogenesis of BSP. The differential risk of developing BSP, based on age at onset of ocular symptoms, suggests that age and eye diseases may interact in giving rise to BSP. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society [source]


Efficacy of pollen immunotherapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis

PEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2007
DEMET CAN
Abstract Background: The efficacy of subcutaneous pollen immunotherapy has been documented in published double-blind, placebo-controlled studies related to treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. In the present study, subjective (symptom scores) and objective (nasal peak inspiratory flow, nasal smear, nasal biopsy) parameters were used to study the efficacy of pollen immunotherapy. Methods: Forty-eight patients (32 male), mean ± SE age 13.6 ± 2.8 years allergic to grass-pollen participated in the present study. Patients were divided into three groups: group I, 24 patients who did not receive pollen immunotherapy; group II, 12 patients who received the build-up phase of pollen immunotherapy; and group III, 12 patients who had just finished pollen immunotherapy. With regard to objective and subjective parameters these three groups were compared. Results: When group I was compared to groups II and III, the patients who had not received any immunotherapy were found to have a high daytime nasal symptoms score (P < 0.01), high daytime eye symptoms score(P < 0.01) and high night-time symptoms score (P < 0.01). In objective parameters, it was found that group I had low nasal peak inspiratory flow (P < 0.05), and a high eosinophil count in nasal smears (P < 0.05) and peripheral blood (P < 0.05). It was also demonstrated that there was an increased eosinophil infiltration (P < 0.01) and mast cell infiltration (P < 0.05) in nasal biopsy in group I. There was no significant difference between group II and group III according to these results (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Immunotherapy leads to a better clinical and histopathological prognosis in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis. [source]


Psoriasis and the eye: Prevalence of eye disease in Singaporean Asian patients with psoriasis

THE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2007
Nisha S. CHANDRAN
ABSTRACT There is little published data on the incidence of eye disease in Asian patients with psoriasis. We determined the frequency of ocular complications in Singaporean Asian patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and related these to extent and severity of psoriasis, family history, treatment and presence of arthritis. A cross-sectional prevalence investigation was carried out in 100 patients who received a comprehensive eye examination. Psoriasis extent and severity was graded by the Lattice System Physician's Global Assessment (LS-PGA). Two patients (four eyes) had uveitis, one of whom had psoriatic arthritis (2% incidence). Presence or absence of uveitis correlated with mean LS-PGA scores. Sixty-three patients had cataract unrelated to previous steroid or phototherapy treatment; in younger (<50 years) patients they were commoner than in those with higher (>5) LS-PGA scores. Three eyes in two patients (2% prevalence) had glaucomatous optic neuropathy unrelated to previous treatment, and comparable with expected population frequency. These findings, although limited by lack of data from a comparable control population, suggest that eye complications are common in Asian patients with psoriasis and eye symptoms should be elicited during history taking. Besides signs and symptoms of eye disease, an LS-PGA score of more than 5 should prompt referral for ophthalmological examination. [source]


Menstrual cycle influences ocular surface parameters in normal and dry eye patients

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2007
P VERSURA
Purpose: We analyzed the changes of ocular surface parameters and symptoms in healthy and dry eye women over the menstrual cycle. To our knowledge, incomplete reports appear in the literature on this issue in healthy women still in the fertile period, and none on dry eye women of the same age. This to comparatively evaluate what then happens in peri- and post-menopause. Methods: 29 females in the fertile age and a regular 26-29 days menstrual cycle were included in the study. 14 subjects with and 15 without dry eye symptoms. Symptoms were scored by the validate questionnaire OSDI. Degree of dryness was evaluated with the Schirmer test I, Jones test, BUT, Ferning test, Tear Function Index (TFI) and conjunctival imprint cytology. Degree of inflammation was evaluated with conjunctival brush cytology and dosage of exudated serum albumin in tears. Hormonal cytology procedures were applied to exfoliated cells in tears. Patients were analysed during menstruation, in the follicular and in luteal phases over two consecutive cycles and results were statistically evaluated Results: TFI, tear stability, surface dryness and inflammation were significantly related to the hormonal fluctuations in menstrual cycle, in particular to the estrogen peak occurring during the follicular phase, especially in dry eye patients. Subjective symptoms appeared to increase in the luteal phase, suggesting the presence of a pre-menstrual syndrome Conclusions: The ocular surface is confirmed to be dependent from hormonal variations; clinicians would take into account these cyclic variations during the examinations of subjects still in the fertile age, with dryness symptoms [source]


Bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation and uterine cancer.

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2000
A case report
ABSTRACT. Purpose: To report a case of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation (BDUMP), a rare paraneoplastic syndrome causing visual loss in patients with systemic carcinoma. Results: A 70-year-old woman developed visual symptoms 13 months after surgery and local irradiation therapy for uterine cancer. Following bilateral external beam irradiation supplemented with subsequent drainage of subretinal fluid in the left eye, the visual acuity improved from 0.01 to 0.15 in this eye only. The visual acuity remained at this level until she died 4 1/4 years after the onset of eye symptoms. Conclusion: This is the fourth case that survived longer than 24 months after the onset of visual symptoms of the 22 previously reported cases with BDUMP. It demonstrates that radiotherapy may have a vision-preserving effect in this group of patients. The patient also developed two different paraneoplastic phenomena , a nephrotic syndrome before and BDUMP after treatment for uterine cancer. [source]


Cysteinyl leukotrienes as common mediators of asthma and allergic disease

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY REVIEWS, Issue 2 2003
S-E. Dahlén
Summary The cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) induce a number of pro-inflammatory effects including smooth muscle contraction, an increase in blood flow, plasma exudation, mucous secretion, and activation of inflammatory cells. They play a key role in asthma and allergy, and can be recovered from different body fluids (e.g. bronchoaleveolar or nasal lavage and urine) during allergen-induced hypersensitivity reactions. The advent of antileukotriene agents (i.e. leukotriene receptor antagonists or leukotriene synthesis inhibitors) has helped clarify how the different mechanisms contribute to inflammation, as well as offer new treatment options for both asthma and allergy. It is now clear that the release of leukotrienes is the final common path for the many different factors causing airway obstruction and inflammation. In asthma, clinical studies have shown that treatment with antileukotrienes can improve pulmonary function, alleviate symptoms, reduce asthma exacerbations, and decrease the need for bronchodilator therapy. Similarly, in patients with allergic rhinitis, improvements have been seen in nasal symptoms, eye symptoms and quality of life. Antileukotrienes provide a new opportunity for simultaneous management of allergic diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and are a rational treatment approach to the concept of ,one airway' disease. In future, their utility may also extend to inflammatory disorders of other organ systems (e.g. skin). [source]


Exploring the role of leukotriene receptor antagonists in the management of allergic rhinitis and comorbid asthma

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY REVIEWS, Issue 2 2003
R. Pawankar
Summary The links between asthma and rhinitis are well documented and are based upon epidemiological, immunological and clinical observations. Leukotriene receptor antagonists (e.g. montelukast) are an established, effective and well tolerated treatment option for asthma, and more recent evidence now demonstrates their clinical utility in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. In seasonal allergic rhinitis, montelukast monotherapy has been shown to provide relief from daytime nasal symptoms (including congestion, runny nose, nasal itching and sneezing), as well as nighttime and eye symptoms. These clinical benefits were associated with reduced eosinophil counts in the blood, suggesting an effect on the underlying mechanisms of allergic inflammation. In addition, studies that have evaluated the combination of an antileukotriene with an antihistamine have typically shown a numerical and sometimes statistical benefit of combination therapy. Given the frequent coexistence and shared pathophysiologies of asthma and allergic rhinitis, a common therapeutic approach would seem warranted. Leukotriene receptor antagonists, such as montelukast, are emerging as a rational approach to ,one airway' disease management. [source]


Pterygium in Tibetans: a population-based study in China

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 9 2007
Peng Lu MD
Abstract Purpose:, To describe the prevalence and to identify associated risk factors for pterygium in a Tibetan population at high altitude in Zeku County, China. Methods:, A prospective population-based survey was conducted from October to December 2006. A stratified, clustered, randomized sampling procedure was used to select 2632 Tibetan people aged 40 years and older. Pterygium was diagnosed and graded clinically as grade 1 (transparent), 2 (intermediate) and 3 (opaque). Risks factors associated with pterygium were evaluated with logistic regression models. Results:, From a total of 2632 eligible subjects, 2229 (84.69%) were examined. There were 323 people with pterygium, equivalent to an overall prevalence of 14.49% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.03,15.95). Pterygium was independently associated with increasing age for persons aged 70,79 years, compared with those aged 40,49 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.0; 95% CI 1.4,2.8), female gender (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2,2.0), dry eye symptoms (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.0,1.7), seldom use of sunglasses/crystal spectacles (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.9,11.3) or hats (OR 3.6: 95% CI 2.4,5.4), lower education level (<3 years) (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1,2.4) and low socioeconomic status (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.5,2.4). Conclusions:, The prevalence of pterygium in a Tibetan population at high altitude is significantly high, particularly in certain at-risk groups. The primary causative factors are related to ocular sun exposure, which are easily preventable. Public health schemes to address this serious health issue are urgently needed. [source]