vernal keratoconjunctivitis
Findings
No curated finding names vernal keratoconjunctivitis yet. Everything below is reference data from Mondo, HPO and GenCC, not evidence about what affects it.
Definition
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, severe allergy that affectsthe surfaces of the eyes. It most commonly occurs in boys living in warm, dry climates. Attacks associated with VKC are common in the spring (hence the name 'vernal') and summer but often reoccur in the winter. Signs and symptoms usually begin before 10 years of age and may include hard, cobblestone-like bumps (papillae) on the upper eyelid; sensitivity to light; redness; sticky mucus discharge; andinvoluntary blinking or spasms of the eyelid (blepharospasm).The condition usually subsides at the onset of puberty. It is caused by ahypersensitivity (allergic reaction)to airborne-allergens. Management focuses on preventing 'flare ups' and relieving the symptoms of the condition.
Definition from the Mondo Disease Ontology (MONDO:0019085), read 2026-09-29. CC BY 4.0.
Features
23 features
What the disease is reported to present with, and how often among people who have it — never how often a feature means the disease. HPO, annotations 2026-09-02.
- Abnormal conjunctiva morphologyHPOHP:0000502
- Very frequent (80% to 99% of cases)
- Abnormal cornea morphologyHPOHP:0000481
- Very frequent (80% to 99% of cases)
- Abnormal sclera morphologyHPOHP:0000591
- Very frequent (80% to 99% of cases)
- Allergic conjunctivitisHPOHP:0007879
- Very frequent (80% to 99% of cases)
- AllergyHPOHP:0012393
- Very frequent (80% to 99% of cases)
- Conjunctival hyperemiaHPOHP:0030953
- Very frequent (80% to 99% of cases)
Show the remaining 11
- BlepharospasmHPOHP:0000643
- Frequent (30% to 79% of cases)
- Blurred visionHPOHP:0000622
- Frequent (30% to 79% of cases)
- Corneal foreign body sensationHPOHP:0034804
- Frequent (30% to 79% of cases)
- Giant conjunctival papillaeHPOHP:0025350
- Frequent (30% to 79% of cases)
- Ocular pruritusHPOHP:0033841
- Frequent (30% to 79% of cases)
- ScarringHPOHP:0100699
- Frequent (30% to 79% of cases)
Where it sits
- A kind of
Other names
2 names
Resolves to: vernal keratoconjunctivitis
- Also called
- Spring catarrhVernal Keratonconjunctivitis