title: Discoid lupus erythematosus masquerading as chronic blepharoconjunctivitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To recognize discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) as a treatable cause of chronic blepharoconjunctivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of 5 patients with biopsy-proven DLE were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and pathology records were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients' clinical and histopathological characteristics and response to treatment were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical features included meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, chalazia, trichiasis, madarosis, conjunctivitis, chronic eyelid edema, and eyelid plaques. Histopathology showed hyperkeratotic epithelium, degeneration of the basal cell layer, and a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. There was delayed diagnosis in all cases, ranging from 4 months to 25 years. All of the patients responded to systemic hydroxychloroquine therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heightened awareness of eyelid DLE may lead to earlier detection and specific therapy for this chronic disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Nisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pineda
authors.forename: Harvey S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Uy
authors.forename: C Stephen
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine