Detection by brush cytology of mast cells and eosinophils in allergic and vernal conjunctivitis.

The presence of eosinophils in the conjunctival epithelium is indicative of allergies, and detection is currently performed by cotton swab scrapings. Although mast cells are thought to be chemotactic for eosinophils and thus presage their accumulation, the former's use as early indicators of allergy has heretofore been hindered by poor detection methods. The recent development of a special brush now makes it possible to collect many cells with less disturbance of the conjunctival epithelium. In the present study, we have used this brush for conjunctival scraping in 18 patients with vernal and allergic conjunctivitis, and 10 patients serving as controls. The superior and inferior tarsal conjunctiva in both eyes were examined, and the specimens were stained using Hansel's method. Mast cells were observed in at least one of the tarsal conjunctivae in all cases of vernal and allergic conjunctivitis, whereas eosinophils were so observed in only eight cases (44.4%). Neither mast cells nor eosinophils were present in the conjunctivae of the normal group. Although treatment by mast cell stabilizers produced clinical remissions, they induced disappearance of mast cells in only 10 cases (55.6%), whereas in six cases (33.3%) the mast cells increased, and in two cases they were unchanged (11.1%). Six cases (33.3%) each showed disappearance of, increase in, and no change in eosinophils, reflecting even less of a response of these allergic cells to the treatment. The presence of mast cells and eosinophils, as determined by our cytologic method, was found to be correlated with the early detection, but not the clinical severity, of allergic conjunctivitis.     

无干眼症状儿童过敏性结膜炎中的泪膜稳定性研究

目的 观察无干眼症状的儿童过敏性结膜炎患者的泪膜稳定性。设计 回顾性病例系列。研究对象 无干眼症状的儿童季节性过敏性结膜炎患者30例（60眼）。无干眼症状的屈光不正患儿20例（40眼）为正常对照组。方法 受试者进行病史询问以及外眼、眼前节及干眼相关检查,包括泪膜破裂时间（BUT）、基础泪液分泌试验（SIt）、角膜荧光素染色（FL）。荧光素染色评分0~12分,无染色为0分。主要指标 BUT、SIt和FL评分。结果 观察组与对照组BUT分别为（7.35±2.46）s、（11.95±2.183）s（ t =9.569,P=0.000）;SIt分别为（18.28±5.123）mm、（16.50±5.149）mm（ t =1.702,P=0.092）;FL评分不为0者分别为13例（20眼）、6例（6眼）（χ2=4.193,P=0.041）。观察组中FL评分、BUT与病史长短无显著相关性。结论 无干眼症状的儿童季节性过敏性结膜炎患者也可能存在泪膜稳定性下降和角膜上皮完整性受损的改变。（眼科,2015,24：268-271）     

Relation Between Total Tear IgE and Severity of Acute Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis

Purpose: Measurement of total tear immunoglobulin E (IgE) is useful for the diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis, but it is still unknown whether measurement of total tear IgE is useful for assessment of the severity of allergic conjunctivitis. We evaluated the relation between the total IgE level in tears and objective signs of allergic conjunctivitis. Methods: A prospective, nonrandomized, and cross-sectional study was conducted in 84 patients with allergic conjunctivitis (allergic group) and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (control group). The total tear IgE score was obtained with the Allerwatch(?) test (0, 1, and 2), and ten severity scores (0, 1, 2, 3) were determined for objective ocular findings of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, as well as limbal and corneal lesions. Results: The scores for total tear IgE and each of the objective ocular findings were higher in the allergic group than in the control group (all p < 0.01). The total tear IgE score was correlated with the severity of each clinical feature of allergic conjunctivitis (p < 0.01), except for corneal epithelial damage in the allergic group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the severity of giant papillae was the most important indicator of the total tear IgE score (odds ratio = 1.33, p < 0.00001). Conclusion: The total tear IgE score was correlated with the scores for objective signs of allergic conjunctivitis. This rapid test for total IgE in tear fluid is easy to perform and could be used to assess the severity of allergic conjunctivitis on an outpatient basis.     

调体脱敏方加减内服配合眼部冷湿敷治疗过敏性结膜炎

目的:观察调体脱敏方加减内服配合眼部冷湿敷治疗过敏性结膜炎的临床疗效及对免疫功能的影响。方法:选择2020-07/2021-03经我院确诊的过敏性结膜炎患者160例320眼。将患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组80例160眼采用中药汤剂调体脱敏方加减内服配合眼部冷湿敷治疗,对照组80例160眼局部点0.05%氮卓斯汀滴眼液治疗。连续治疗14d后,观察两组症状体征评分、过敏性结膜炎生活质量问卷评分、血清免疫球蛋白IgG、IgA、IgE水平的变化。结果:两组患者症状体征评分和生活质量问卷评分均较治疗前有改善(P<0.05),且治疗组改善要优于对照组(P<0.05);两组血清免疫球蛋白IgG、IgA水平治疗前后无明显改善(P>0.05),治疗组治疗后IgE水平较治疗前有明显改善(P<0.05)。结论:调体脱敏方加减内服配合眼部冷湿敷治疗能改善过敏性结膜炎的临床症状,有助于缓解过敏反应,提高生活质量。     

HE和Giemsa染色在儿童细菌性和过敏性结膜炎诊断中的比较

目的：探讨苏木精-伊红染色法(HE)和吉姆萨(Giemsa)染色法在儿童细菌性和过敏性结膜炎中的诊断效果。

方法：选取2016-10/2019-10期间于我院眼科经结膜刮片检查诊断为结膜炎儿童患者422例作为研究对象，分别采用HE与Giemsa染色法进行结膜刮片染色，并根据染色结果诊断细菌性/过敏性结膜炎。观察两种染色结果对细菌性/过敏性结膜炎的阳性检出率及染色情况。

结果：HE染色诊断细菌性结膜炎阳性率(33.0%)和符合率(63.6%)显著低于Giemsa染色(90.7%和88.8%，均P<0.001)，而过敏性结膜炎阳性率无明显差异(90.8% vs 87.2%，P>0.05)。

结论：Giemsa染色法检查可准确诊断儿童细菌性结膜炎且方法简便，HE与Giemsa染色法均对过敏性结膜炎具有较好的诊断效果，可为提高临床诊断效率及早期治疗方案提供依据。     

745例变应性结膜炎的临床特点

背景 变应性结膜炎是临床上常见疾病,但由于不同类型变应性结膜炎常有伴随症状和变应性疾病,因此影响诊疗的正确性和及时性,全面了解变应性结膜炎的临床特点有助于其正确的诊断和治疗.目的 探讨各类变应性结膜炎的临床特点. 方法 采用描述性研究方法,对2011年4月至2015年3月于北京同仁眼科中心确诊和治疗的745例各类变应性结膜炎患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,包括患者一般情况、病史、家族史、个人过敏史、用药史、角膜接触镜配戴史、病程、每次发作持续时间、症状加重和缓解因素、眼部以外的变应性疾病、眼部伴随疾病和症状以及裂隙灯显微镜下眼前节检查结果和治疗反应,总结患者的临床特点,并分析不同年龄与症状的关系.结果 745例患者中,包括季节性变应性结膜炎(SAC)和常年性变应性结膜炎(PAC) 562例,占75.44％;春季结膜炎(VKC) 163例,占21.88％;巨乳头性结膜炎(GPC) 18例,占2.42％;AKC 2例,占0.27％.变应性结膜炎7月份就诊者例数最多,为180例,占24.16％,12月份就诊者最少,为26例,占3.49％.变应性结膜炎眼部常见症状为眼痒(395例,占53.02％)、眼红(273例,占36.64％)、瞬目增多/揉眼(163例,占21.88％).≤14岁组患者434例,占58.26％,15 ～ 39岁组患者254例,占34.09％,≥40岁组患者57例,占7.65％;3个组间男女比例比较差异有统计学意义(x2=89.431,P=0.000);290例患者伴有眼部以外的变应性疾病,包括变应性鼻炎、湿疹、荨麻疹、变应性紫癜和哮喘.391例患者伴有其他眼部疾病,分别为干眼、屈光不正、睑缘炎和睑板腺功能障碍、角膜上皮病变、倒睫和前葡萄膜炎.Logistic回归分析发现,≤14岁组患者瞬目增多/揉眼症状为主诉者多于＞14岁组,差异有统计学意义(β=-2.039,P=0.000),而眼干涩、异物感、酸胀/痛为主诉者少于≤14岁组,差异均有统计学意义(β=1.585,P=0.001;β=1.174,P=0.003;β=1.218,P=0.037).所有患者均接受过双效药物或抗组胺药物、糖皮质激素或免疫抑制剂的局部治疗,均可缓解症状.结论 变应性结膜炎中以SAC/PAC多见,其次为VKC.变应性结膜炎以夏季高发,临床症状多样,同时可伴有其他眼病或眼部以外变应性疾病.双效药物或抗组胺药物、糖皮质激素或免疫抑制剂的局部应用是变应性结膜炎的常用治疗方法.     

鱼腥草滴眼液联合吡嘧司特钾滴眼液治疗过敏性结膜炎的疗效观察

目的:研究比较鱼腥草滴眼液联合吡嘧司特钾滴眼液治疗过敏性结膜炎的临床疗效。方法:过敏性结膜炎患者63例,随机分为观察组和对照组。对照组31例采用吡嘧司特钾滴眼液,观察组32例采用鱼腥草滴眼液联合吡嘧司特钾滴眼液。治疗前后观察眨眼、眼痒、眼红、异物感等症状,结膜水肿、充血及上、下睑结膜乳头和滤泡等体征,评价治疗有效率。结果:观察组和对照组治疗前症状、体征评分分别为:9.38±0.71和9.41±0.56、10.21±1.03和10.68±0.99,两组差异无统计学意义;观察组和对照组治疗后症状和体征评分分别为:1.22±0.61和4.25±0.84,1.21±0.60和5.78±1.29,两组差异有统计学意义。观察组和对照组治疗后有效率分别为78.12%和32.25%,两组差异有统计学意义。结论:鱼腥草滴眼液联合吡嘧司特钾滴眼液可明显改善过敏性结膜炎患者的临床症状及体征,提高疗效。     

Bilateral conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma misdiagnosed as allergic conjunctivitis

PURPOSE: This report aimed to discuss two nearly identical cases of primary conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma mimicking allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS: Two patients were referred for intractability to conventional treatment of initial diagnoses of allergic conjunctivitis. On ocular examination, normally pigmented, giant papilla-like lesions were found bilaterally in the upper conjunctiva. Excisional biopsies were performed. RESULTS: Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination of the conjunctival biopsies indicated MALT lymphoma in both patients. The patients subsequently received radiation therapy and achieved complete remission with no evidence of recurrence during follow-up periods of 13 and 11 months. CONCLUSION: Conjunctival low-grade lymphoma may share similar clinical features with allergic conjunctivitis. Ophthalmologists should be concerned that primary conjunctival low-grade malignant lymphoma can be misdiagnosed as allergic conjunctivitis     

Quantitative determination of histamine in tears during conjunctivitis by a novel HPLC method

The histamine content of tears of healthy sex- and age-matched subjects and patients affected by allergic or nonallergic inflammatory ocular diseases was determined through a new competitive reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Tear samples from 50 healthy subjects, 30 patients affected by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, 12 patients with bacterial conjunctivitis associated with Haemophilus influenzae and 8 patients with bacterial conjunctivitis associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae were analyzed for histamine concentration by O-phthaldialdehyde precolumn derivatization-based HPLC. In physiological conditions, the tear histamine content was low (2.26 ng/ml) and did not vary in relation to age and sex. Histamine levels were significantly higher in all the patients studied, to a greater extent in those affected by allergic (23.61 ng/ml) or Haemophilus influenzae-associated (21.53 ng/ml) conjunctivitis.     

Tear cytokine levels in allergic rhinitis without ocular symptoms

ObjectiveTo compare cytokine levels in the pre-corneal tear film between patients with allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and the normal population.DesignA comparative cross sectional study.ParticipantsPatients were divided into Group 1 (allergic rhinitis without conjunctivitis), Group 2 (allergic rhinoconjunctivitis), and Group 3 (normal population).MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients were divided into; Group 1 (allergic rhinitis without conjunctivitis), Group 2 (allergic rhinoconjunctivitis), and Group 3 (normal controls). Tears were collected using Schirmer strips and cytokine analysis performed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThere were a total of 68 subjects. Median values of cytokines in the allergic rhinitis group were as follows; TNFa (45.34 pg/ml), IL-4 (61.91 pg/ml), IL-5 (8.92 pg/ml), IL-6 (538.37 pg/ml) and IL-8 (1438.72 pg/ml). Cytokine levels in the group with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were approximately two-fold higher than in the group with allergic rhinitis only. The median cytokine level in the control group was lowest. A significant inter-group difference was observed for TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 levels, with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients demonstrating significantly elevated cytokines compared to those with allergic rhinitis only (p<0.001). These four cytokines were also significantly higher in those with allergic rhinitis than in controls (p<0.005). Although the group with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis had the highest levels of IL-5, no statistically significant inter-group difference was noted (p=0.479).ConclusionThis study demonstrated the presence of raised tear film inflammatory cytokines even in allergic rhinitis patients without ocular symptoms. These patients may be at increased risk of developing allergic conjunctivitis. These findings not only substantiate the immunological theory of the naso-ocular reflex, but have clinical and therapeutic implications for the holistic management of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis.     

Allergens in Japanese patients with allergic conjunctivitis in autumn

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the relation between various specific class E immunoglobulins (IgE) in the serum and allergic conjunctivitis in autumn. METHODS: Total IgE and specific IgE to 12 inhalant allergens were measured using the CAP system in 32 patients with allergic conjunctivitis in spring (spring group), 27 patients with allergic conjunctivitis in autumn (autumn group), and 40 healthy volunteers (control group). RESULTS: Specific IgE levels caused by house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and orchard grass were higher in the autumn group than in the spring group. The highest positivity rate for a specific allergen was 51.9% for house dust, followed by D. pteronyssinus(48.1%) in the autumn group, while the highest rate was 68.8 % for cedar pollen, followed by cypress pollen (59.4%) in the spring group. Correlation analysis showed that house dust was significantly correlated with animal epithelia, D. pteronyssinus, acarus, and Alternaria tenuis in the autumn group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that house dust is the main cause of allergic conjunctivitis during autumn. In spring, cypress pollen is the largest cause of allergic conjunctivitis, while indoor allergens such as house dust, animal epithelia, D. pteronyssinus, and acarus are not causative allergens in Japan.     

Ligneous conjunctivitis

Ligneous conjunctivitis (McKusick 217090) is a rare form of chronic conjunctivitis characterized by the development of firm fibrin-rich, woody-like pseudomembraneous lesions mainly on the tarsal conjunctivae. Less frequently, similar lesions may occur on other mucous membranes of the body indicating that these manifestations are part of a systemic disease. Histopathological findings from affected humans and (plasminogen-deficient) mice indicate that wound healing, mainly of injured mucosal tissue, is impaired due to markedly decreased (plasmin-mediated) extracellular fibrinolysis. Pseudomembraneous lesions of the eyes and other mucosal tissue mainly contain clotted fibrin(ogen). Actually, systemic plasminogen deficiency has been linked to ligneous conjunctivitis in humans and mice. In one case, ligneous conjunctivitis has been induced by antifibrinolytic treatment with tranexamic acid. Further rare associated disorders of ligneous conjunctivitis are congenital occlusive hydrocephalus and juvenile colloid milium. This review outlines the historical background, clinical characteristics of ligneous conjunctivitis and its associated complications, histological abnormalities of pseudomembraneous lesions, inheritance, hemostasiologic and molecular genetic findings in affected patients, current treatment approaches, and the plasminogen-deficient mouse as an animal model.     

儿童过敏性结膜炎与变应性疾病的相关性

目的评价儿童过敏性结膜炎与变应性鼻炎、哮喘及湿疹的相关性。方法对2005年9月～2006年9月在本院就诊的407例儿童过敏性结膜炎进行回顾性分析。对其鼻炎、哮喘、湿疹以及父母的过敏性疾病进行问卷式调查。对其中256例患者利用酶联吸附试验进行血清总IgE和特异性IgE分析。结果407例过敏性结膜炎中分别有292例(占71.7%)、376例(占92.4%)和115例(占28.2%)同时患有湿疹、鼻炎和哮喘,合并鼻炎者明显高于合并湿疹和哮喘者(P<0.05)。256例血清总IgE和特异性IgE检测中,吸入组230例中有228例(99.1%)总IgE呈阳性,食入组200例中198例(99.0%)总IgE呈阳性;吸入性过敏原以螨和屋尘为主,食入性过敏原以鱼、蟹、虾为主。慢性过敏性结膜炎的过敏原主要是螨、屋尘和鱼,与急性过敏性结膜炎的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。而急性过敏性结膜炎的过敏原主要是花粉和蒿草,与慢性过敏性结膜炎差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论儿童过敏性结膜炎常与鼻炎、哮喘及湿疹同时发病,单独发病较少,其中儿童过敏性结膜炎与鼻炎发病尤为密切,故在儿童期联合治疗两种疾病将对防治鼻炎和过敏性结膜炎的发生...     

新生儿急性细菌性结膜炎病原菌及药物敏感性分析

目的探讨近年来新生儿急性细菌性结膜炎主要致病菌的特点及药物敏感试验结果,为临床寻找该疾病的有效抗生素和合理用药提供科学依据。方法对近5年临床诊断为新生儿急性细菌性结膜炎的82例患儿 (129只眼),进行结膜囊分泌物的细菌培养和种类鉴定,并对阳性培养菌株进行药物敏感试验和分析。结果新生儿急性细菌性结膜炎的细菌平均检出率为76．0％。不同年份的细菌检出率变化不明显(x2=0．80,P>0．05)。根据培养结果,新生儿急性细菌性结膜炎的致病菌,由以往金黄色葡萄球菌、草绿色链球菌为主,转变为以淋球菌、表皮葡萄球菌和腐生葡萄球菌为主。大多数细菌对环丙沙星敏感,对氯霉素耐药。结论新生儿急性细菌性结膜炎的致病菌株同以往相比较发生了较大的改变,其耐药性也发生了相应的改变。     

富马酸依美斯汀联合氟米龙滴眼液治疗过敏性结膜炎

目的：评价富马酸依美斯汀滴眼液联合氟米龙滴眼液治疗过敏性结膜炎的疗效。

方法：回顾性研究。选取2020-06/2022-08于我院就诊接受治疗的过敏性结膜炎患者115例230眼,在常规使用富马酸依美斯汀滴眼液治疗的同时根据是否联合使用氟米龙滴眼液分为观察组(56例112眼)和对照组(59例118眼)。分别于治疗前、治疗4 wk后评估两组患者的眼部临床症状和体征评分、泪膜破裂时间(BUT)、角膜荧光素染色评分,并记录治疗期间并发症发生情况。

结果：治疗后两组患者眼部症状和体征评分均降低,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05); 两组患者BUT均长于治疗前,且观察组长于对照组(P<0.05); 两组患者角膜荧光素染色评分均降低,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组患者治疗期间并发症总发生率(3.6% vs 5.1%)无明显差异(P>0.05)。

结论：富马酸依美斯汀滴眼液联合氟米龙滴眼液治疗过敏性结膜炎可明显减轻患者的眼部症状与体征,延长泪膜破裂时间,降低角膜荧光素染色评分,提高疗效,且不增加并发症发生风险,安全性和有效性较高。     

Suppressive effect of antiflammin-2 on compound 48/80-induced conjunctivitis Role of phospholipase A2s and inducible nitric oxide synthase

Phospholipase A 2 s (PLA 2 s) are a family of esterases that initiate the arachidonic acid cascade, which results in the production of numerous inflammatory mediators. We investigated the expression of Group I and II PLA 2 proteins and Group II mRNA in normal conjunctivae and in the conjunctivae of mice with compound 48/80-induced conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by topical instillation of compound 48/80 (C48/80). Mice were then treated with corticosteroid (Pred Forte), antiflammin-2 (AF2, a synthetic peptide that inhibits PLA 2 ), or a placebo (Dacriose, an isotonic, buffered, sterile eye irrigating solution). Low levels of PLA 2 s were detected on the epithelium of normal conjunctivae. One hr after C48/80 instillation, the expression of PLA 2 s appeared and increased in the substantia propria, peaked at 6 hr, and returned to baseline 72 hr later. Compared to the placebo, the conjunctivitis was moderate in the AF2-treated group and mild in Pred Forte-treated group. The expression of PLA 2 s was suppressed in mice treated with Pred Forte and AF2. iNOS mRNA was also diminished in the AF2- and Pred Forte-treated groups. The mechanisms by which anti-allergic medications suppress conjunctivitis may involve the inhibition of PLA 2 s and iNOS.     

左氧氟沙星治疗重症细菌性眼病的疗效及耐药性

目的：研究左氧氟沙星治疗重症细菌性角膜炎和结膜炎的疗效以及耐药性。

方法：将我院收治的195例重症细菌性角膜炎和结膜炎患者作为观察对象,随机均分为A组、B组和C组,分别给予左氧氟沙星、氧氟沙星和氯霉素进行治疗,统计治疗数据,评价不同治疗方法治疗的效果和耐药性。

结果：采用左氧氟沙星治疗的A组患者痊愈54例(83.1%),显效7例(10.8%),有效3例(4.6%),无效1例(1.5%); 采用氧氟沙星治疗的B组患者痊愈25例(38.5%),显效6例(9.2%),有效23例(35.4%),无效11例(16.9%); 采用氯霉素治疗的C组患者痊愈4例(6.2%),显效3例(4.6%),有效36例(55.4%),无效22例(33.8%),组间治疗效果和耐药性存在显著差异(P<0.05)。

结论：左氧氟沙星治疗重症细菌性结膜炎和角膜炎起效快,效果好,不易产生抗药性,值得推广借鉴。     

Comparative analysis of safety and efficacy of Alcaftadine 0.25%, Olopatadine hydrochloride 0.2% and Bepotastine besilate 1.5% in allergic conjunctivitis

Purpose:To compare the efficacy and safety of Alcaftadine 0.25%, Olopatadine hydrochloride 0.2%, and Bepotastine besilate 1.5% ophthalmic solutions in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.Methods:This is a prospective, observer-masked, comparative study of 180 patients with mild to moderate allergic conjunctivitis, randomized into three groups of 60 patients each. Each group was assigned to be treated with one of the three treatment options namely Alcaftadine 0.25%, Olopatadine hydrochloride 0.2% and Bepotastine besilate 1.5% ophthalmic solutions. Patients were followed-up at regular intervals with relief and resolution of symptoms and signs noted using Total Ocular Scoring System (TOSS) and hyperaemia scale.Results:All three topical medications were effective in resolving symptoms of the patients with mild to moderate allergic conjunctivitis. Baseline mean TOSS scores for Alcaftadine group, Olopatadine group and Bepotastine besilate group were (7.68±2.32), (7.65±2.32) and (7.45±2.27) respectively as compared to the corresponding TOSS scores on 14^th Day (4^th visit) which were (0.2 ± 0.43), (0.4 ± 0.56) and (0.1 ± 0.36) respectively. The resolution of symptoms in the Bepotastine and Alcaftadine groups was significantly profound as compared to the Olopatadine group (p = 0.008). Bepotastine and Alcaftadine groups significantly reduced allergic conjunctivitis symptoms compared to Olopatadine group (p = 0.008).Conclusion:All three topical ophthalmic medications used in the study are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. However, Bepotastine and Alcaftadine appear to outweigh Olopatadine in resolving the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.     

Tear and serum soluble leukocyte activation markers in conjunctival allergic diseases

PURPOSE: To measure markers of leukocyte activation in patients with an exclusively ocular inflammatory or bacterial disease. METHODS: Neutrophil myeloperoxidase, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil neurotoxin, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor were measured in serum and tears of 17 patients with allergic vernal keratoconjunctivitis, seven with atopic keratoconjunctivitis, 11 with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, seven with giant papillary conjunctivitis, 13 with rosacea blepharokeratoconjunctivitis, seven with bacterial conjunctivitis, and 13 normal subjects as controls. RESULTS: In serum of patients with vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis, levels of eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil neurotoxin, and interleukin-2 receptor were significantly increased compared with control subjects but were not correlated with the severity of ocular symptoms. In tears of patients with vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, as well as in the nonallergic diseases, rosacea blepharokeratoconjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis, levels of eosinophil cationic protein, neurotoxin, and interleukin-2 receptor were significantly increased compared with control subjects. The highest values of these markers were found in vernal keratoconjunctivitis samples. Neutrophil myeloperoxidase was significantly increased in vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis, rosacea blepharokeratoconjunctivitis, and bacterial conjunctivitis. In vernal keratoconjunctivitis, tear markers were correlated to the clinical score of the disease, but not with cytology. CONCLUSIONS: Tear histamine was measured in 10 allergic patients after allergen challenge. Although none of the above markers can be considered specific to a single disease, their measurement may still be useful for the quantification of local cell activation in ocular inflammatory diseases.