Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Determine blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC) presentation and outcomes in Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic pediatric patients. METHODS: Retrospective review of pediatric patients (< 18 years old) with BKC and at least 2 examinations (2018-2022). Details obtained were self-reported race/ethnicity, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp findings, and prescribed treatments. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients (59 Females) presented at a median of 8.1 [IQR 5.7, 10.9] years of age and had 4 (IQR 3, 4) visits over 1.3 ([QR 0.8, 2.2] years. Sixty-five (68%) patients identified as Hispanic. There was no difference in age at presentation, number of visits, or follow-up between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients. Initial (0.22 [IQR 0.10, 0.40] vs. 0.06 [IQR 0.00, 0.18], p < 0.01) and final (0.13 [IQR 0.10, 0.40] vs. 0.02 [IQR 0.00, 0.18], p < 0.01) LogMAR BCVA were significantly worse in Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic patients. Logistic analysis showed an association between Hispanic ethnicity and worse initial and final BCVA. However, ethnicity did not correlate with any subset of BKC diagnoses (e.g. corneal scar or ulcer, chalazion, marginal or superficial keratitis) or slit lamp findings. The presence of corneal stromal scarring was associated with worse initial BCVA, regardless of ethnicity. There were no differences in prescribed treatments between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic patients, and no treatments were associated with visual outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: BKC was common in Hispanic patients and despite no difference in slit lamp findings or prescribed treatments, Hispanic patients had worse initial and final BCVA. The presence of corneal stromal scarring was also associated with worse visual outcomes.