Refractive status seen amongst school pupils with vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, North - Central Nigeria [Letter]

Dear Editor,

We recently had the opportunity to read the article titled “Refractive status seen among school pupils with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria” published by Tenmang et al.^[1] We appreciate the authors for their efforts in investigating the association between VKC and refractive errors among school pupils. While the study provides valuable insights into the types of refractive errors associated with VKC, we would like to draw attention to certain aspects that might benefit from further exploration or clarification.

The study is designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study, offering a snapshot of the population at a specific point in time. While this design is suitable for assessing prevalence, it may pose challenges in establishing causation or understanding the temporal relationship between VKC and refractive errors. A longitudinal study could be considered in future research to explore the causative factors and the dynamic nature of this relationship over time.^[2]

The article mentions differing findings in previous studies regarding the most common refractive error associated with VKC. The authors briefly attribute these variations to differences in population and geographical areas. It would be beneficial if the article could delve deeper into these potential factors influencing refractive errors, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the population under study.^[3] The article acknowledges the limitation of being a cross-sectional study. It suggests the need for follow-up studies to determine whether refractive errors are complications or simple associations of VKC. While this limitation is noted, further discussion or recommendations for the design and scope of future follow-up studies would enhance the completeness of the article.^[4]

We commend the authors for their contributions to the field, and we believe that addressing these aspects would enrich the depth and applicability of the study’s findings. We look forward to seeing more research in this area and the potential implications for clinical practice.