IgE-mediated immunological mechanisms in VKC, ECP, eosinophil cationic protein; EMBP, eosinophil major basic protein; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1; IFN-γ, interferon gamma; IgE, immunoglobulin E; IL, interleukin; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; Th2, type 2 helper T cell; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; VKC, vernal keratoconjunctivitis