Purpose:

To understand the impact of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), a chronic allergic inflammation of the ocular surface that primarily affects children and young adults, on daily life.

Methods:

This qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. Paired interviews with patients and parents were conducted in the participants' homes. Interviews continued until thematic saturation (no new information arising) was obtained. Nine patients and their families were interviewed. The patients were between 5 and 13 years old with disease severity ranging from mild to severe.

Results:

Several consistent themes emerged from the study, including the significant impact of VKC on schooling and family life. Families of children with VKC experience delays in receiving an accurate diagnosis and a lack of information and emotional support, which led the parents to report living in a constant state of tension about whether they were doing the right thing for their child. Although many children with VKC also have other atopic conditions, there is no cohesive approach to clinical care.

Conclusions:

VKC poses a significant burden on the lives of patients and their families. Greater awareness among clinicians is essential for early diagnosis and treatment and to prevent potential sight-threatening complications. The chronic nature of VKC necessitates a holistic approach to patient care to address the multiple clinical and emotional needs of the children and their families.[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(5):298–303.]

中文翻译：

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了解春季角结膜炎患者的旅程：对儿童和家庭影响的定性研究

目的：

了解春季角结膜炎 (VKC) 对日常生活的影响，VKC 是一种主要影响儿童和年轻人的眼表慢性过敏性炎症。

方法：

这项定性研究使用了解释性现象学分析方法。在参与者的家中对患者和父母进行了配对访谈。访谈一直持续到获得主题饱和（没有新信息出现）。九名患者及其家属接受了采访。患者年龄在 5 至 13 岁之间，疾病严重程度从轻度到重度不等。

结果：

研究中出现了几个一致的主题，包括 VKC 对学校教育和家庭生活的重大影响。患有 VKC 的孩子的家庭在接受准确诊断方面遇到延误，并且缺乏信息和情感支持，这导致父母报告说他们生活在持续紧张的状态中，他们是否为孩子做正确的事情。尽管许多患有 VKC 的儿童也有其他特应性疾病，但临床护理没有统一的方法。

结论：

VKC 给患者及其家人的生活带来了沉重的负担。提高临床医生的意识对于早期诊断和治疗以及预防潜在的威胁视力的并发症至关重要。VKC 的慢性性质需要对患者护理采取整体方法，以解决儿童及其家人的多种临床和情感需求。[ J 小儿眼科斜视。2021；58(5):298–303。]