EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF PHYLYCTENULAR KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS WITH ORAL TETRACYCLINE

Purpose: To determine the clinical characteristics, possible etiologic agents, and response to oral antibiotic therapy in patients with phly ctenular keratoconjunctivitis. Methods: The authors reviewed the medic al records of the 17 patients with phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis w ho were seen and treated at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between 19 81 and 1991. Results: All 17 patients were younger than 18 years of ag e at the onset of their disease. Girls (n = 14) outnumbered boys (n = 3) 4: 1. Significant incapacitating symptoms and ocular morbidity occu rred frequently, including three perforated corneas. Five of ten patie nts who were tested for Chlamydia infection had positive test results and five patients possibly had early rosacea dermatitis. All patients experienced long-term remission of their ocular disease after a course of oral tetracycline or erythromycin. Two patients demonstrated uniqu e linear (fascicular) corneal phlyctenules. Conclusion: Oral tetracycl ine or erythromycin treatment produces long-lasting remission of phlyc tenular keratoconjunctivitis in affected children.