Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Barry A Weissman, OD, PhD, FAAO; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 26, 2011
 

History

Patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) often report an increase in contact lens soilage, ocular itching, and mucous discharge in tears, as well as blurred vision and conjunctival injection. This can be accompanied by decreased contact lens tolerance and mechanical stability.

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Physical Examination

Clinicians commonly note increased deposition on contact lenses. Also, contact lenses appear to ride higher under the upper lids than expected. Rigid lenses in particular, show deposits around the lens edge.

With eversion of the lids, inflammation of the vasculature (hyperemia) and papillary hypertrophy are noted. (See the images below.)

Very large papillae in the everted upper lid of a Very large papillae in the everted upper lid of a patient who wears hydrogel (soft) contact lenses. Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) response (sliGiant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) response (slightly out of focus) seen in the upper lid of a young patient recovering from cataract extraction with an exposed suture barb (in focus).

Mucous strands can be seen in the tears and between the papillae.

Papillae can range from small, uniform lesions (uniform cobblestone appearance [UCA]) to irregular changes (nonuniform cobblestone appearance [NUCA]) to clusters of giant lesions with whitish centers that can ulcerate and stain with sodium fluorescein dye.[11] Originally, the papillae of the upper tarsal conjunctiva were thought to have to be at least 1 mm to diagnose giant papillary conjunctivitis. Today, the clinical sign is generally accepted as follows: the papillae are at least 0.3 mm in diameter on the upper palpebral conjunctiva in association with the classic symptoms.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis that is associated with hydrogel contact lenses is more commonly at the fold of the everted lid, spreading over the entire tarsal conjunctival surface.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis that is associated with rigid contact lens wear shows an opposite pattern, corresponding to the position of the contact lens edge meeting the lid tissues. This is evidence for the mechanical etiology hypothesis.

Silicone hydrogel lenses tend to induce more local than general giant papillary conjunctivitis responses, similar to that seen with rigid lens wear.

Attending eye doctors should routinely invert and visually inspect lids, especially if a patient who wears contact lenses has any ocular complaints.

Subjective ocular itching, mucus, contact lenses with significant protein deposits, and contact lenses that become less comfortable, more mobile, or ride higher underneath the upper lids should all raise suspicion of giant papillary conjunctivitis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Barry A Weissman, OD, PhD, FAAO  Chief of Contact Lens Service, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Barry A Weissman, OD, PhD, FAAO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Association, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: VSP None Speaking and teaching; Alcon None Speaking and teaching; Vistakon/The Vision Care Institute Grant/research funds support of Fellowship program

Coauthor(s)

Karen K Yeung, OD, FAAO  Director of Optometry, Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, University of California at Los Angeles

Karen K Yeung, OD, FAAO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Optometry

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Christopher J Rapuano, MD  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Cornea Service, Co-Director of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute

Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; Vistakon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; EyeGate Pharma Consulting; Inspire Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Bausch & Lomb Consulting fee Consulting

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Very large papillae in the everted upper lid of a patient who wears hydrogel (soft) contact lenses.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) response (slightly out of focus) seen in the upper lid of a young patient recovering from cataract extraction with an exposed suture barb (in focus).
 
 
 
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