Dr. Simon S.M. Fung from UCLA Stein Eye Institute awarded $70,000 Knights Templar Eye Foundation Grant for Pediatric Blepharokeratoconjunctivitis Research

Dr. Simon S.M. Fung from the UCLA Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California was awarded a $70,000 grant titled: Discovery of tear film biomarkers in pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis

Pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC) is a common but poorly understood childhood disease in which the surface of the eye becomes inflamed. This condition typically affects young children whose vision is still developing, causing issues from eye redness and irritation, to debilitating light sensitivity and permanent vision loss due to corneal scarring. Affected children often require frequent clinic visits and prolonged eyedrop treatment to control the inflammation. Pediatric BKC can present in several different ways in the eye. In addition, examination of young children with active disease is difficult because of the light sensitivity, making the diagnosis of BKC difficult.

Dr. Fung’s overriding objective is to improve the detection and monitoring of inflammation in children with BKC, so that the level of inflammation could be measured and tracked more accurately over time. To do so, he will analyze the tears on the surface of the eye, and look for surrogate markers of inflammation using FDA approved in-office testing devices. These non-invasive devices are quick and easy to use, producing results within minutes after testing, and are already in widespread use among adult patients with dry eye disease.

This research will lead to improved detection and monitoring of inflammation on the eye surface resulting in earlier diagnosis and treatment, which will allow normal visual development and prevent long-term vision loss in children.