Chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis: A review of the differential diagnosis and an algorithmic approach to management

• Main Authors: Jayesh Vazirani, Pragnya R Donthineni, Sahil Goel, Sayali S Sane, Sheetal Mahuvakar, Purvasha Narang, Swapna S Shanbhag, Sayan Basu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: cicatrizing conjunctivitis; mucous membrane pemphigoid; ocular cicatricial pemphigoid; stevens–johnson syndrome
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2020;volume=68;issue=11;spage=2349;epage=2355;aulast=Vazirani
• ISSN: 0301-4738; 1998-3689

Cicatrizing conjunctivitis constitutes a group of chronic local and systemic disorders that cause conjunctival scarring. A systematic approach is required to sift through the clinical history, examination, and laboratory investigations of patients to arrive at the correct diagnosis of the underlying cause. Establishing the etiology is critical, as the therapeutic approach changes based on the cause of conjunctival inflammation. Effective management of patients with the condition requires knowledge of multiple modalities such as systemic immunosuppressive therapy, use of scleral contact lenses, and surgery for ocular surface and vision improvement. We review the clinical features of this condition and present diagnostic and treatment algorithms to help simplify the complexities in its management. This review attempts to place all the relevant information on chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis together in one place for the benefit of cornea and ocular surface specialists, general ophthalmologists, and ophthalmology residents.