Role of oxidative stress in vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic bilateral, sight threatening, allergic ocular disease affecting patients, primarily in the first or second decades of their lives (Kumar, 2009), (Rosa, et al., 2013). The disease has a worldwide distribution and a multifactorial aetiology, with environmental allergens, endocrine, neurogenic and genetic causes cited as risk factors (Wildner, et al., 2013). However a definite genetic basis for the disease is yet to be revealed. The present study was aimed to find out any genetic predisposition for a cohort of patients with chronic VKC and to evaluate for associated demographic characteristics. Genetic aetiology of VKC was investigated using random and sequence specific markers. Inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) were utilized as random genetic markers. Gene specific markers, H₃R, H₄R, Eotaxin-2, Eotaxin-3, UPA, MMP-1, MMP-9, transferrin genes g3296, g3481 and c-2G and GAPDH were employed to search for polymorphism in genomic DNA of 60 patients and 8 gender and age matched controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected with respect to g3481A>G and g3296 G>A of transferrin gene. A significant χ² value indicated correlation of VKC and genomic polymorphism (at <0.05 P level). The odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio also illustrated similar trend. This paper provides the first insight into the role of oxidative stress in this locally active blinding disease. Further future molecular analysis will provide detailed information into the exact pathogenesis and interaction of epigenetics, environment, immunological agents and genomics in the manifestation of VKC culminating in better and sophisticated prophylactic and therapeutic pharmacological options.