Histopathologic Characteristics of Conjunctivochalasis. |
Jeong Bum Bae, Woo Chan Park |
Department of Ophthalmology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. wcpark@dau.ac.kr |
결막이완증의 조직병리학적 특성에 대한 연구 |
배정범⋅박우찬 |
Department of Ophthalmology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea |
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Abstract |
PURPOSE In this study we investigated the histopathologic characteristics of conjunctivochalasis and its association with lymphangiectasis using impression cytology and conjunctival excisional biopsy in patients with conjunctivochalasis. METHODS: This prospective study included 14 outpatients diagnosed with conjunctivochalasis, and who had excisional biopsies performed between March 1, 2012 and November 30, 2012. Preoperative slit-lamp examination, dry eye diagnostic test and impression cytology were also performed. For histological analysis, conjunctival sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Verhoeff-van Gieson (VVG) elastic staining, and monoclonal antibody D2-40, a lymphatic endothelial marker. RESULTS: Tear break-up time and Schirmer's value were decreased in patients with conjunctivochalasis. Impression cytology showed a decrease in goblet cell density and an increase in nucleoplasmic/cytoplasmic ratio. The patients' conjunctival tissues exhibited an infiltration increase of chronic inflammatory cells on H&E stain, and a decrease in collagen density with degeneration of elastic fibers on VVG stain compared to tissues from the control subjects. D2-40 immunohistochemistry revealed the dilated subconjunctival lymphatics in patients with conjunctivochalasis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the characteristic histopathological features of conjunctivochalasis include dilated lymphatic vessels as well as decreased goblet cell and collagen densities with degeneration of elastic fibers. |
Key Words:
Conjunctivochalasis;Impression cytology;Lymphangiectasis |
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