Evaluation of Red Cell Distribution Width in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis Patients

Purpose: Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKK) is a bilateral, chronic, allergic inflammatory disease of the ocular surface. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a hematological laboratory test that has been shown to increase in many chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between RDW and VKK development. Materials and Methods: Clinically diagnosed of 72 patients with VKK, and 72 age and sex matched healthy individuals were enrolled to the study. Venous bloods were obtained from the all participants. Complete blood count test was performed and RDW values were obtained. The obtained RDW values were compared between groups statistically. Results: The VKK group consisted of 41 male and 31 female patients, while the control group consisted of 39 male and 33 female patients. The mean age of VKK group was 13.06 ± 0.65 years and the mean age of the control group was 12.36 ± 0.51 years. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of gender and age (p> 0.05). RDW value was 12.8 ± 1.45 % in VKK group and 11.63 ± 0.87 % in the control group (p = 0.01). Conclusion: RDW increase was significantly associated with VKK. The increase in RDW suggests that chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of VKK