Histopathologic Characteristics of Conjunctivochalasis.

Bae, Jeong Bum; Park, Woo Chan

doi:2013.54.8.1165

J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > Volume 54(8); 2013 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2013;54(8):1165-1174.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2013.54.8.1165 Published online August 15, 2013.

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

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