# Subclinical ocular surface changes in children with newly diagnosed allergy

## TL;DR

Children with newly diagnosed allergies show early signs of eye surface changes, such as gland atrophy and unstable tears, even without symptoms.

## Contribution

The study identifies subclinical ocular changes in children with allergies, suggesting a need for future monitoring.

## Key findings

- Meibomian gland atrophy was significantly higher in children with allergies.
- Non-invasive tear break-up time was shorter in the allergy group.
- OSDI scores were elevated in the allergy group but not clinically significant.

## Abstract

To investigate subclinical changes in the anterior segment of the eye in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed allergic rhinitis or dermatitis compared to healthy controls.

This case-control study included children aged 3–15 years diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, or asthma. The control group consisted of healthy children matched for age and sex without systemic or ocular allergies. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered with parental assistance, particularly to younger children. Ocular surface parameters, keratorefractive values, and corneal topographies were evaluated.

No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of refractive status (p = 0.55). The OSDI scores were higher in the allergy group (p = 0.044), although the values remained below clinically relevant thresholds. Meibomian gland atrophy was significantly greater (24.4% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.008), and non-invasive tear break-up time (NiBUT) was significantly shorter (8.4s vs. 10.7s, p = 0.004) in the allergy group.

Subclinical ocular surface changes, including increased meibomian gland atrophy and reduced tear stability, may occur in children with asymptomatic allergies. While these findings do not currently influence treatment, they highlight the need for longitudinal studies to evaluate the potential progression and inform future screening practices.