Effect of suction ring application during LASIK on goblet cell density

PURPOSE: To study the effect of LASIK surgery on conjunctival goblet cells as one of the proposed mechanisms for dry eye occurring after LASIK. METHODS: This prospective study included 22 eyes (11 patients) that underwent LASIK for the correction of myopia. Three pairs of samples were taken from the bulbar conjunctiva of each eye. The first pair was taken preoperatively before application of the suction ring. The second and third pairs were taken from the same sites at 1 week and 1 month consecutively. The first site was at 12 o'clock and the second at the inferotemporal quadrant between 7 and 8 o'clock. Time of suction was recorded. RESULTS: Preoperatively, mean goblet cell density was 424 +/- 105 cells/mm2 (range: 284 to 630 cells/mm2). All postoperative samples showed a statistically significant decrease in goblet cell count: 216 +/- 81 cells/mm2 (range: 40 to 325 cells/mm2) at 1 week and 218 +/- 99 cells/mm2 (range: 50 to 396 cells/mm2) at 1 month. Other parameters of conjunctival impression cytology were normal. The difference between the samples in the inferior conjunctiva preoperatively and 1 week postoperatively was greater than that of the superior conjunctiva. Recovery rate in both sites was similar and the damage did not correlate with the duration of suction. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the microkeratome suction ring induced changes in the perilimbic conjunctiva. These changes contribute to the pathology of dry eye. Goblet cell count remains affected at 1 month postoperatively.     

The conjunctival epithelium in dry eye subtypes: effect of preserved and non-preserved topical treatments

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of topical treatments on the conjunctiva in dry eye. METHODS: N = 134 dry eye subjects were diagnosed using a protocol of McMonnies dry eye symptom survey score > 14, fluorescein break up time (FBUT) < 10 s and presence of rose Bengal staining. Differential diagnosis of dry eye subtypes was based on biomicroscopic signs and ocular/medical history. Superficial perilimbal bulbar conjunctival epithelial samples were collected using impression cytology. The nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio (N/C), goblet cell density (GCD) and expression of monoclonal antibodies HLA DR and CD23 were determined. The ocular surface characteristics of untreated subjects, those receiving preserved dry eye treatments and those receiving non-preserved treatments were compared with each other and with controls. Ocular surface characteristics of dry eye subtypes were also examined. RESULTS: An increase in N/C (p = 0.011), reduction in GCD (p = 0.0001) and increase in expression of HLA DR (p = 0.0001) and CD23 (p = 0.0001) were detected in the untreated group compared to controls. No significant differences were found between the group receiving non-preserved dry eye treatments and untreated dry eye group. The group receiving preserved treatments had a reduced GCD (p = 0.0003) and increased expression of HLA DR (p = 0.0003) and CD23 (p = 0.0001) compared to the group receiving non-preserved treatments. Dry eye subtype specific differences in HLA DR and CD23 expression were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The conjunctival inflammation and reduced goblet cell density of dry eye is exacerbated by use of preserved topical agents, and is not significantly improved by use of non-preserved artificial tear supplements alone. Therapeutic strategies for dry eye should aim to increase goblet cell density and control ocular surface inflammation.     

Dry eye-induced conjunctival epithelial squamous metaplasia is modulated by interferon-gamma

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of interferon (IFN)-gamma in the pathogenesis of conjunctival squamous metaplasia in dry eye. METHODS: Experimental dry eye was created by subjecting C57BL/6 and IFN-gamma-knockout mice to desiccating environmental stress for 5 or 10 days. T-cell antigens and IFN-gamma were detected by immunohistochemistry. Goblet cells were counted in periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-stained sections. Expression of small, proline-rich protein (SPRR)-2 was evaluated by confocal microscopy. Tear IFN-gamma was measured by immunobead assay. RESULTS: Dry eye promoted migration of CD4+ T cells and IFN-gamma+ cells into goblet cell zones of the conjunctiva and increased the concentration of IFN-gamma in tears. This migration was accompanied by progressive goblet cell loss and an increase in SPRR-2 expression in the conjunctival epithelium. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the density of infiltrating CD4+ T cells and goblet cells. Dry eye had no effect on conjunctival goblet cell density in IFN-gamma-knockout mice; however, exogenous administration of IFN-gamma significantly decreased goblet cell density after 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival epithelial response to experimental dryness is related to the degree of CD4+ T-cell infiltration and the level of IFN-gamma production. These findings suggest that IFN-gamma plays a pivotal role in promoting conjunctival squamous metaplasia in dry eye, and they provide insight into the immune pathogenesis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.     

Topical cyclosporine inhibits conjunctival epithelial apoptosis in experimental murine keratoconjunctivitis sicca

PURPOSE: Increased apoptosis in the conjunctival epithelium has been observed in experimental murine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Topical cyclosporine (CsA) has been noted to reduce conjunctival epithelial apoptosis in chronic canine and human KCS. The purpose of this study is to determine if topical CsA treatment inhibits conjunctival epithelial apoptosis in a murine model of KCS. METHODS: Dry eye was induced in 3 groups of C57BL6 mice by subcutaneous injection of scopolamine TID and exposure to an air draft and low-humidity environment for 16 hours per day for 12 days. The dry eye control group received no topical treatment; a second group received 1 microL of 0.05% CsA topically TID (dry eye + CsA); and the third group received 1 microL of the castor oil vehicle of CsA topically TID (dry eye + vehicle). Normal mice were used as untreated controls. After 12 days, the mice were killed, and the right eyes and eyelids were excised, frozen, and cryosectioned. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed on conjunctival and corneal samples taken from the left eyes. Apoptosis was detected in frozen sections with the ApopTag (ISOL) In Situ Oligo Ligation Kit, which specifically detects DNA fragmentation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect activated caspase-3. Conjunctival goblet cell number was counted in tissue sections stained with period acid Schiff (PAS) reagent. These assays were performed on 2 separate sets of mice. RESULTS: Compared with untreated controls and dry eye mice receiving CsA, the number of ISOL-positive epithelial cells in the bulbar and tarsal conjunctiva was significantly greater in the dry eye control and dry eye mice + vehicle groups (P < 0.01 for both groups). There was no significant difference in the number of ISOL-positive conjunctival epithelial cells between the dry eye control and dry eye + vehicle mice. There was no significant difference in ISOL-positive cells in the corneal epithelium between the untreated controls and the 3 treatment groups. Dry eye + CsA mice showed less activated caspase-3 staining than the dry eye control and the dry eye + vehicle groups. TEM showed loss of superficial differentiated cells and extensive nuclear fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis in the dry eye control and dry eye + vehicle groups but not in the dry eye + CsA group. There was significant loss of goblet cells in the bulbar and tarsal conjunctivae of the dry eye control and the dry eye + vehicle groups compared with untreated controls and the dry eye + CsA group. CONCLUSIONS: Topical CsA significantly reduced conjunctival epithelial apoptosis and protected against goblet cell loss in experimental murine KCS. Inhibition of apoptosis appears to be a key mechanism for the therapeutic effect of CsA for KCS.     

New surgical treatment for superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis and its association with conjunctivochalasis

PURPOSE: To introduce a new surgical procedure for treating superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) and to suggest the association of SLK with conjunctivochalasis. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: Six eyes of five patients with long-standing severe ocular irritation unresponsive to treatment with topical steroid and artificial tears were operated on using our new procedure. This technique consists of four steps as follows: (1) Rose bengal (RB) staining is used to localize the abnormal conjunctival area; (2) an arc-like conjunctival incision is placed from the 2 to the 10 o'clock position adjacent and distal to the RB-stained area; (3) the conjunctiva is resected to form a crescent using the arc-like incision as the base; the size of the resection is determined by conjunctival redundancy after removal of the subconjunctival connective tissue; and (4) the crescent conjunctival opening is closed with interrupted sutures. In two eyes, the new surgical procedure was performed together with surgery for inferior bulbar conjunctivochalasis. RESULTS: In all operated eyes, RB staining had disappeared by the end of the second postoperative week; recovery from symptoms and loss of inflammation were recorded by 1 month after treatment. In the case with the longest follow-up (14 months), there was cytologic evidence of goblet cell recovery at 3 months after the operation. In another, there was normalization of the nucleo/cytoplasmic ratio of conjunctival cells without the appearance of goblet cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our treatment very effectively resolved symptoms associated with SLK, even in eyes unresponsive to conventional therapy with eye drops. Considering that we did not address the diseased part of the conjunctiva but rather the adjacent conjunctival redundancy, we propose that superior bulbar conjunctivochalasis is involved in the pathogenesis of SLK.     

角膜缘干细胞移植术治疗双侧翼状胬肉的疗效

目的：观察自体角膜缘干细胞移植术(LCAT)治疗双侧翼状胬肉的临床效果。

方法：前瞻性病例研究。收集2014-01/2015-07在解放军第四七四医院诊断为双侧翼状胬肉患者46例54眼,其中双眼双侧胬肉8例16眼,一眼双侧胬肉一眼鼻侧胬肉11例11眼(仅纳入双侧胬肉眼作为研究对象),单眼双侧胬肉27例27眼,均采用鼻侧翼状胬肉切除联合同眼上方LCAT,而颞侧翼状胬肉切除联合对侧眼下方LCAT。术后1、7d,1mo,1a复查,复查时完成视力、裂隙灯等检查,观察术后并发症及翼状胬肉复发情况。

结果：完成1a随访患者共44例52眼,失访2例2眼。术后1a复发3例3眼(6%),鼻侧翼状胬肉复发2眼,颞侧翼状胬肉复发1眼。未见其它术后并发症。

结论：鼻侧翼状胬肉切除联合同眼上方LCAT,同时颞侧翼状胬肉切除联合对侧眼下方LCAT治疗双侧翼状胬肉安全有效,复发率低。     

活体共焦显微镜下观察正常人眼球结膜组织结构

目的 探讨应用活体激光共焦显微镜观察正常人球结膜的组织结构.方法 横断而研究.2008年2月至7月选择50名无眼部外伤、感染及配戴接触镜史,且裂隙灯显微镜检查无异常的正常人的50只眼作为研究对象.使用激光共焦显微镜对其上方、下方、鼻侧及颞侧球结膜进行检查,各层图像均被记录,分析球结膜各层形态,并对上皮细胞、杯状细胞及树突状细胞密度进行计数.运用单因素方差分析对各层上皮细胞密度和各方位杯状细胞密度进行统计学分析,运用最小显著性差异分析组间差异.结果 球结膜上皮浅表层细胞体积较大,排列松散,胞核呈低反光,细胞平均密度为(1643±206)个/mm2.中间层细胞呈卵圆形,体积较小,排列紧密,胞核呈点状高反光,细胞平均密度为(4693±228)个/mm2.基底层细胞呈多边形,排列规整,有清晰而高亮的细胞边界,细胞平均密度为(4420±230)个/mm2.经统计学分析3种上皮细胞密度存在显著件差异(F=1160.312,P=0.000).类似杯状细胞的细胞呈圆形,胞体较大,胞内充满透亮颗粒,成团或散在分布,细胞的平均密度为(432±72)个/mm2.树突状细胞呈高反光颗粒,伴树枝状突起,分散于结膜各层,细胞的平均密度为(22±25)个/mm2.在结膜上皮与固有层之间,存在一层致密的高反光的基底膜.球结膜固有层由高度血管化的疏松结缔组织组成,可见大量小规则的条状纤维或大片的网状纤维,弥散分布小圆周高亮的游走细胞,还可清晰观察到血管中血液的流动.结论 活体激光共焦显微镜是研究球结膜组织结构的一种有效上具,为眼表疾病的临床诊断提供了快速而无创的检查手段.     

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca modifies epithelial stem cell proliferation kinetics in conjunctiva

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the epithelial stem cell proliferation kinetics in a rat model with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). METHODS: Wistar rats received a daily injection of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) at a dose of 5 mg/100 g of body weight for 2 weeks. Dry eye was induced in 2 groups of rats by subcutaneous injection of scopolamine and placed in a desiccating environment: The first group received dry eye treatment at the beginning of BrdU labeling for 2 weeks; the second group received dry eye treatment after BrdU labeling for 4 weeks. Rats receiving no dry eye treatment were used as controls. Aqueous tear production, tear clearance, and corneal barrier function of dry eye rats were compared with those of control rats. Ocular epithelial morphology and goblet cell density were also evaluated in histologic sections. One month after BrdU injection, epithelial stem cell proliferation kinetics was assessed by BrdU labeling. RESULTS: Significant decreases in tear fluid secretion and tear clearance were noted in rats 5 days after dry eye treatment, with significantly increased corneal carboxy fluorescein uptake. Changes in ocular surface epithelial morphology and significantly reduced density of conjunctival goblet cells were found in dry eye groups. The number of conjunctival BrdU label-retaining cells in the rats with dry eye was significantly decreased compared with control rats (P < 0.01 for both groups). Furthermore, BrdU labeling in the before dry eye induction group showed more label-retaining basal cells in the conjunctiva than labeling in the dry eye state group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Experimentally induced KCS in rats causes significant modification of epithelial stem cell proliferation kinetics in conjunctiva. The modification of epithelial stem cell proliferation kinetics in conjunctiva may play a crucial role in the development of KCS and may be a therapeutic target for this condition.     

Conjunctival cytologic features in anophthalmic patients wearing an ocular prosthesis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cytologic features of conjunctival epithelium in anophthalmic sockets with an ocular prosthesis, using an impression cytology technique and to determine the clinical factors associated with these changes. METHODS: In a prospective case-controlled study, 40 consecutive unilateral anophthalmic patients who wore an ocular prosthesis were recruited. A questionnaire on the care of the prosthesis included total wearing period, frequency of cleaning, frequency of polishing, cleaning solution, and eye drop use. The degree of inflammation of the anophthalmic conjunctival socket was evaluated. Impression cytology specimens were taken from the upper tarsal conjunctiva, the bulbar conjunctiva, and the lower tarsal conjunctiva of each socket, and from the contralateral eye (to serve as an internal matched control). The goblet cell density and the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio of the epithelial cells were measured. The relevance of these conjunctival cytologic features to the various factors of prosthesis care or conjunctival inflammation was analyzed. RESULTS: In the anophthalmic sockets, the conjunctiva showed squamous metaplasia at all 3 areas sampled. The goblet cell density was significantly decreased and the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio of the epithelial cells was significantly increased compared with the control eyes (p<0.05, on all 3 areas sampled, Wilcoxon signed rank test). These conjunctival cytologic changes were not significantly associated with total wearing time, frequency of polishing, cleaning solution, or eye drops use (p>0.05, Spearman's correlation test). CONCLUSIONS: Squamous metaplasia with decreased goblet cell density and increased nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio occurred in anophthalmic conjunctival sockets but was not associated with particular aspects of prosthesis care.     

Ocular surface changes in pterygium.

PURPOSE: To evaluate ocular surface abnormalities in eyes with pterygium. METHODS: Impression cytology was performed on 56 pterygia in 50 eyes with primary or recurrent pterygium. Superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal bulbar conjunctivae were evaluated. RESULTS: The ocular surface morphology directly over the pterygium was found to be abnormal in 100% of cases. This was significant compared with abnormalities in 2.4% in the superior bulbar conjunctiva, 54.5% in the inferior bulbar conjunctiva, and 58.1% in the clinically unaffected interpalpebral conjunctiva. The epithelial cells in pterygium demonstrated squamous metaplasia in 73.2% of cases, with marked enlargement and elongation of the cells and pyknotic changes in the nuclei. Squamous metaplasia was also seen in the inferior conjunctiva (31.7%) and the clinically unaffected interpalpebral conjunctiva (54.8%) but without the advanced changes seen over the pterygium (p < 0.001). A low cellular yield was obtained over the pterygium in 98.2% of cases but only 22.7% in the inferior conjunctiva and 22.6% in the clinically unaffected interpalpebral conjunctiva (p < 0.001). Mucinous hyperplasia signifying increased goblet cell density was observed over the surface of the pterygium in 87.5% compared with 2.4% in the superior conjunctiva, 15.9% in the inferior conjunctiva, and 12.9% in the clinically unaffected interpalpebral conjunctiva (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The cytology of surface cells in pterygium exhibits squamous metaplasia with increased goblet cell density. A graded series of ocular surface changes exists throughout the bulbar conjunctiva in eyes with pterygium, with the most advanced changes occurring directly over the pterygium surface.     

Citología de impresión conjuntival en pacientes con valores OSDI normales y alterados

PurposeTo describe goblet cell density and Nelson grading in different areas of the ocular surface using conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) among patients with normal and impaired Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores.Material and methodsPatients (n = 166) under assessment for dry eye were recruited between 2011 and 2012 and classified according to the OSDI score in 4 categories (normal and impaired). Cytological study (CIC plus Papanicolaou staining) using the Nelson grading system, with modifications in staging, and goblet cell counting were performed on the nasal, temporal, inferior, and superior bulbar conjunctival surfaces.ResultsNelson grading was significantly higher in patients with a severely impaired OSDI score (1.41 ± 0.14) compared to normal patients (0.86 ± 0.09) (P<.01). Goblet cell density was significantly reduced in patients with a severely impaired OSDI score (310.24 ± 56.24 cells per sample) compared with normal subjects (497.31 ± 50.07 cells per sample) (P<.001). Compared with the photoexposed bulbar conjunctiva, goblet cell density on the non-photoexposed conjunctiva was significantly higher both in patients with mild (P<.01) and moderate (P<.001) OSDI scores.ConclusionPatients with severely impaired OSDI scores have less goblet cells and a higher Nelson grade. Goblet cells are more abundant on the non-photoexposed conjunctiva.     

Conjunctival cytologic features of primary Sj?gren's syndrome.

To determine whether there are specific cytologic features associated with primary Sj?gren's syndrome (SS), the authors evaluated impression cytology specimens from three conjunctival sites (temporal bulbar [TB], inferior bulbar [IB], and inferior tarsal [IT]) from 38 SS eyes, 34 eyes of aqueous tear-deficient patients without SS, 35 eyes of seborrheic blepharitis patients, and 17 eyes of normal controls in a masked fashion. The following features were observed more frequently in SS eyes than in the eyes of the other groups: squamous metaplasia of the TB and IB (P less than 0.05), extensive (greater than 75%) goblet cell loss of the TB (P less than 0.05), mucous aggregates of the bulbar conjunctiva (P less than 0.05), and inflammatory cells intercalated with epithelial cells on the IT conjunctiva (P less than 0.06). The conjunctival inflammatory cell infiltrate correlated with the presence of extensive squamous metaplasia (P less than 0.01) in SS specimens. The inflammatory cells on the IT conjunctival epithelium were found to consist predominantly of T-lymphocytes by immunofluorescent staining of cytologic specimens from six eyes. Based on these findings, the authors speculated that conjunctival squamous metaplasia, in addition to aqueous tear deficiency, may be due to primary involvement of the dysfunctional immune system of SS.     

Efficacy of topical cyclosporine A in the treatment of severe trachomatous dry eye

Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) treatment in patients with severe trachomatous dry eye.
Methods:  Sixty-four severe trachomatous dry eye patients who had undergone Schirmer testing with topical anaesthetic measured 5 mm or less and a tear film break-up time (TFBUT) of 5 s or less were included in the study. Thirty-two patients were treated with CsA 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion twice daily and concomitant five times daily non-preserved artificial tear, and the other 32 patients who were designated as the control group received vehicle emulsion twice daily and non-preserved artificial tear five times daily. Pretreatment and post-treatment evaluations included subjective assessment of the patients (total symptoms scores and ocular surface disease index [OSDI] scores), Schirmer testing with topical anaesthesia, TFBUT, rose Bengal and fluorescein staining scores, conjunctival impression cytological scoring and goblet cell counting.
Results:  Following 6 months of CsA treatment, the differences between the pretreatment and post-treatment test results including total symptoms scores and OSDI scores, the rose Bengal and fluorescein staining scores, TFBUT values, and the Schirmer testing measurements were found to be statistically significant. Impression cytology also showed improvement of squamous metaplasia in 26 patients (81.25%) and increase in goblet cell density in 23 patients (71.88%).
Conclusions:  Topical CsA was effective in the treatment of severe trachomatous dry eye, yielding improvements in both objective and subjective measurements with a safety profile.     

正常人球结膜激光共焦显微镜下的形态学分析

背景激光共焦显做镜可从细胞水平对正常和病变组织进行活体观察,在眼表系统中的应用越来越广泛,但国内对正常球结膜的活体激光共焦显微镜检测结果报道较少。目的利用活体激光共焦显微镜观察分析正常球结膜的形态。方法应用德国海德堡激光共焦显微镜（HRT3）对健康志愿者15例21眼的上方、鼻下方、鼻侧、颞侧球结膜进行扫描,分辨率为1μm,激光波长为670nm,观察视野为400μm×400Ixm。分析球结膜细胞的形态,对球结膜上皮细胞进行计数,并计算杯状细胞和树突状细胞（DE）的密度。结果球结膜表层上皮细胞胞核小,边界模糊。基底上皮细胞边界清晰但胞核不可见。类似杯状细胞的细胞呈卵圆形,胞体较大,细胞内充满高反光均一明亮颗粒,成群或散在分布,上皮表面的孔洞结构可能是已经分泌排出内容物的杯状细胞。DE呈高反光颗粒,伴树枝状突起,分布于球结膜上皮各层。球结膜基质由密集的白色网状纤维构成,其问可见含有细胞成分的血管穿过。球结膜表层上皮细胞密度和基底上皮细胞密度分别为（2556±692）mm^2。和（2985±376）mm^2,杯状细胞和DC的密度分别为（77±39）mm^2。和（26±35）mm^2。经统计学分析各方位上皮细胞密度差异无统计学意义（P=0．204,P=0．130）,各方位杯状细胞和DC的差异有统计学意义（P=0．001,P=0．000）。结论激光共焦显微镜是活体研究人类球结膜形态的有用工具,有助于眼表疾病的诊断和治疗。     

Comparison of corneal and conjunctival rose bengal staining before and after punctal occlusion

PURPOSE: In severely tear-deficient dry eye patients whose puncta had been occluded, corneal and conjunctival rose bengal (RB) staining were graded and compared to before occlusion. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects were 17 eyes of 13 severely tear-deficient dry eye patients whose puncta had been successfully occluded (corneal fluorescein staining showed A 0 D 0 after occlusion). Corneal and conjunctival RB staining were graded 0, 1, 2 or 3, according to severity [B 1] at the cornea and at the temporal and nasal bulbar conjunctiva. The scores were then compared to those before punctal occlusion. To enable comparison of pre- and post-occlusion ocular surface concentrations of RB [B 2], post-occlusion concentration was adjusted by absorbing tears from the conjunctival sac with Schirmer's test paper until the lower meniscus height was equal to that before occlusion, as monitored by video-meniscometer. RB dye was then instilled into the patients conjunctival sac. RESULTS: RB staining score at the cornea decreased significantly; in contrast, no significant improvement was found at the nasal and temporal conjunctiva (p = 0.0025, p = 0.05, p = 0.7, respectively, Wilcoxon test). CONCLUSION: In accordance with the basic interpretation of RB staining, these results imply that RB positive staining [B 3] on the conjunctival surface is caused by a factor other than aqueous deficiency.     

Conjunctival cytology in asymptomatic wearers of soft contact lenses

Conjunctival epithelium was systematically investigated with impression cytology in clinically asymptomatic wearers of soft contact lenses who had been using their lenses for several years. Severe abnormalities were observed, which had so far only been seen in diseases of the ocular surface mainly in dry eye syndromes. All patients showed evidence of squamous metaplasia with distinctly enlarged, flattened cells without evidence of keratinization. They also showed frequent nuclear abnormalities, primarily a high percentage of snakelike-appearing condensations of nuclear chromatin (snakes). The goblet cell density observed was relatively low. Snakes were for the first time detected outside the known localization (upper bulbar conjunctiva, 12 o'clock position) and could be demonstrated throughout the whole bulbar conjunctival epithelium. It is suggested that the changes observed are due to chronic mechanical irritation by the contact lens, as indicated by their topographical distribution and as proven by their reversibility after omission of contact lens wear.Correspondence to: E. Knop     

Conjunctival cytology features of giant papillary conjunctivitis associated with ocular prostheses

PURPOSE: In this study, the conjunctival cytology features of giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) associated with ocular prosthesis wear was examined. METHODS: In a prospective study, 12 consecutive patients diagnosed with GPC associated with ocular prosthesis wear were examined. Impression cytology specimens were taken from the upper eyelid tarsal conjunctiva, the bulbar conjunctiva, and the lower eyelid tarsal conjunctiva of each socket, with the contralateral eye serving as a matched control. RESULTS: The randomized impression cytology specimens showed no significant change in goblet cell density or epithelial cell morphology when comparing the GPC and control specimens. The GPC specimens did have a statistically significant increase in conjunctival inflammation and mucous strands on all three sample areas. In addition, the GPC specimens from the upper and lower tarsal conjunctiva had a honeycomb pattern consistent with giant papillae. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to describe the honeycomb pattern created by giant papillae on impression cytology and the changes of GPC on the lower tarsal conjunctiva.     

Alterations in expression of mucin, tenascin-c and syndecan-1 in the conjunctiva following retinal surgery and plaque radiotherapy

PURPOSE: Disturbances of the ocular tear film layer and dry eye symptoms are common complications following retinal surgery and ocular tumour therapy. Examined were the histopathological changes of the conjunctiva following posterior segment surgery and plaque radiotherapy. METHODS: Biopsy specimens of the superior bulbar conjunctiva were obtained during cataract surgery between 2 weeks and 7 years following vitrectomy (n=92) or plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma (n=20) and from control subjects without previous ocular surgery (n=29). These were examined using conventional histology (HE, PAS, Van Gieson) and immunochemistry [APAAP, using antibodies directed against MUC1, MUC5AC, syndecan-1 and tenascin-C (TN-C)]. The histopathological changes were graded and statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum tests. RESULTS: Conjunctival specimens of patients following vitrectomy or plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma demonstrated increased epithelial stratification, a significant decrease in the number of PAS- and MUC5AC-positive goblet cells, and distributional changes in expression of MUC1, syndecan- and TN-C within conjunctival epithelium or stroma. These alterations - in particular the goblet cell reduction and stromal fibrosis - were most prominent in those patients who had undergone radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior segment surgery can lead to morphological alterations of the conjunctiva and distributional changes in ocular mucins, which may cause dry eye symptoms.