Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis Differential Diagnoses

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

Diagnostic Considerations

Distinguish giant papillary conjunctivitis from the following conditions:

  • Other diseases that cause conjunctivitis and ocular itching/mucus - Typically ocular allergies (hay fever conjunctivitis) but also viral and bacterial conjunctivitis and blepharitis
  • Other diseases that cause papillary changes in the tarsal conjunctiva of the lids, especially vernal and atopic conjunctivitis
  • Other giant papillary-forming disorders by the creamy white appearance of the giant papillae center/top
  • Other diseases that cause follicular changes, which can easily be confused with papillary changes, in the palpebral conjunctivae of the lids -Viral conjunctivitis (adenovirus and herpes), chlamydial infections, and Gel-Coombs type IV hypersensitivity and toxic reactions, particularly to contact lens solutions
  • Other causes of contact lens intolerance, such as poor fit, dry eyes, and blepharitis

Differential Diagnoses

Proceed to Workup
 
 
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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