Optometry: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the presence of atopy in patients with Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid (OCP). Method: The Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) patient database was searched from 2005 to 2016 to identify patients with biopsy proven OCP who had concurrent evidence of atopy. Results: There were 230 patients with biopsy proven OCP. 33 of these were found to have clinical symptoms of atopy (asthma, hay fever, eczema) and of these, 23 had evidence of atopy in their conjunctival biopsy specimens. All patients were started on immunomodulatory therapy for treatment of their OCP with 20 patients requiring additional anti-allergy treatment to control residual atopic ocular symptoms. Among patients who used anti-allergy medication, 80% showed improvement of residual symptoms. Rituximab and/or IVIG are preferred OCP medication in these patients. Conclusion: Clinicians should consider the co-existence of atopy in patients with OCP, especially in those with persistent symptoms after initiation of immunomodulatory therapy.

Biography

Nazanin Ebrahimiadib had her Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery after completing Ophthalmology Residency in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Then, she studied Ocular Inflammation and Uveitis in Massachusetts. Her field of interest focuses on retina diseases, uveitis and immunomodulatory therapy. She has established an infusion suit for chemotherapy of uveitis patients at Farabi Eye Hospital and also visits pediatric patients, diabetic retinopathy, trauma and and other retina cases. Presently she works as a Faculty Member of Ophthalmology Department in the largest eye hospital of the country