Conrad Berens Lecture. Chronic cicatricial conjunctivitis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the spectrum of problems that can result in chronic cicatricial conjunctivitis, and acquaint the reader with strategies for definitively establishing a diagnosis and instituting treatment.


METHODS
Case studies, with emphasis on extensive general medical history taking, ocular and general physical examination, laboratory testing, and biopsy of inflamed conjunctiva.


RESULTS
Chronic cicatricial conjunctivitis can be grouped into the classic broad categories of infectious, malignant, traumatic, autoimmune, and miscellaneous. Mismanagement and poor outcomes may occur as a consequence of misdiagnosis of the underlying etiology. Arriving at the correct diagnosis and choosing the best therapy will generally require a systematic and multi-disciplinary approach.


CONCLUSIONS
The elements that are most helpful in achieving the goal of specific etiologic diagnosis of chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis include exhaustive history and review of systems elicitation, detailed ocular examination, careful extraocular examination, and immunohistopathologic study of biopsied inflamed conjunctiva.
Foster
C S
CS
Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
D002908:Chronic Disease; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans