DECA criteria for suspicion of allergic conjunctivitis

Calculator

When to use

Bilateral conjunctival hyperemia

Yes

Bilateral ocular pruritus

Yes

Ocular symptoms associated with exposure to suspicious allergens

Yes

Association with other allergic diseases rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis)

Yes

Response to topical pharmacologic therapy antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, dual action agents)

Yes

Absence of giant papillary conjunctivitis

Yes

Absence of corneal involvement

Yes

Calculation

Please enter all the required inputs.

The DECA criteria is a clinical calculator used for the suspicion of allergic conjunctivitis. DECA stands for Discomfort, Eosinophils, Conjunctival hyperemia, and Antigen exposure. This scoring system applies to patients presenting with eye discomfort, particularly those with a history of allergies or exposure to potential allergens. The clinical utility of the DECA criteria is to aid in the diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis, a common eye condition characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva due to allergic reactions. It helps clinicians to differentiate allergic conjunctivitis from other types of conjunctivitis, such as bacterial or viral, based on the presence of specific signs and symptoms. Exclusion criteria for the use of the DECA criteria may include patients with other known eye conditions or infections, those with a history of eye surgery or trauma, and those who do not have a history of allergies or exposure to allergens. It's also important to note that the DECA criteria should be used in conjunction with a comprehensive clinical assessment and not as a standalone diagnostic tool.

Reference

M C Sánchez-Hernández, J Montero, C Rondon et al. Consensus document on allergic conjunctivitis (DECA). J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2015;25(2):94-106.

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