SYSTEMIC AND LOCAL IMMUNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF ATOPIC-DERMATITIS PATIENTS WITH OCULAR COMPLICATIONS

Aims-Clinical factors and data from recent cases of atopic dermatitis (AD) (with or without ocular complications! and non-AD cases were exam ined to evaluate the mechanism of atopic ocular complications. : Metho ds-IgE-RAST for eight allergens including rice, egg, and mite and seru m total IgE were measured in 216 patients with AD (70 ocular type, 146 non-ocular type) and 69 non-AD individuals. Tear histamine and leukot riene B-4, (LTB4,) levels were also measured. Results-The serum levels of IgE were significantly increased in AT) patients with ocular compl ications compared with those without ocular complications. The positiv e rates of IgE-RAST for rice and wheat were significantly higher in oc ular type AD than in non-ocular type AD. In ocular type AD, serum IgE was significantly increased in patients with cataract compared with th at in those without cataract. Tear histamine and LTB4, levels in AD pa tients with ocular complications showed significant elevations compare d with those in patients with pure AD and controls. Conclusions-These results suggest that ocular type AD belongs to the most severe end of the spectrum of AD, and that same food antigens may contribute to the pathogenesis off severe AD resulting in ocular complications.