Consequences of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis on ocular parameters of anterior and posterior segments: An up-to-date imaging approach

• Published in: Nigerian journal of clinical practice Vol. 24; no. 10; pp. 1541 - 1544
• Main Authors: Dogan, M, Halilova, V, Sabaner, M, Erogul, O, Gobeka, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-10-2021; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Choroid - diagnostic imaging; Complications and side effects; Conjunctivitis; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Eye; Female; Hay-fever; Health aspects; Humans; Male; Physiological aspects; Prospective Studies; Seasons; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Young Adult; Turkey; sub-foveal choroidal thickness; Anterior chamber depth; seasonal allergic conjunctivitis; central corneal thickness; nerve fiber layer
• DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_534_20
• ISSN: 1119-3077

Aims: To investigate consequences of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) on the ocular anterior and posterior segment parameters. Materials and Methods: Forty healthy participants (mean age: 25.90 ± 5.7 years, 20 females, 20 males) and 40 patients with SAC (mean age: 26.20 ± 5.7 years, 20 females, 20 males) were included in this prospective study. The anterior segment parameters including central corneal thickness (CCT) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were measured by Scheimpflug imaging system. Axial length (AL) was measured by optical biometry. The posterior segment parameters, including retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), subfoveal choroidal thickness, and central macular thickness were measured by optical coherence tomography. Results: Similar values of the ACD, AL, RNFL as well as central macular thickness between healthy participants and patients with SAC were revealed. Despite the CCT being thinner in SAC, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. On the other hand, SAC was found to be associated with an increase in subfoveal choroidal thickness, the condition of which may be attributed to the inflammatory nature of the disease. Conclusion: The present study has managed to demonstrate non-significant alterations in the ocular anterior and posterior segment parameters of patients with SAC. Yet, the increase in subfoveal choroidal thickness may be linked to the accompanying inflammation of both the conjunctiva and other ocular tissues, particularly the choroidal layer.