Abstract
Purpose: :
The current treatment for conjunctivochalasis is surgical excision of the excess tissue or laser shrinkage of the conjunctiva in the exposed area. Although highly successful, surgery has its limitations and accompanying morbidity and mortality risks. Also, elderly and infirmed patients are often afraid and reluctant to have any procedure performed upon them. Laser therapy involves the cost of procuring a laser and is not always successful. The purpose of our study was to attempt to find a simple, inexpensive, office-based procedure that may be used as an alternative.
Methods: :
The study examined twelve patients with complaints of severe tearing, irritation and redness which were caused by conjunctivochalasis. Under topical anesthetic, a lid speculum was placed in the symptomatic eye and a disposable high-temp cautery was used to place superficial conjunctival burns in a grid pattern in the area of the excess tissue. The patients were discharged on topical steroid-antibiotic drops and were monitored to follow their progress.
Results: :
100% of the patients became asymptomatic within 6 weeks of the procedure. None of the patients experienced any complications or recurrences and all of them remain symptom- free to this date. The patients were followed after the procedure for as long as 3 years and as short as 4 months. None of the patients required any further treatment.
Conclusions: :
Conjunctival grid-cautery should be attempted in those patients suffering from symptoms of conjunctivochalasis. It is an office-based procedure that is highly successful, non-invasive and economical. There are no apparent contraindications, nor were any complications experienced. Patients fearful of surgery had no reservations about undergoing this procedure and were happy to choose a non-surgical alternative. Because of the ease of performance, low cost and excellent success rate, we recommend this procedure as a first-line therapy for conjunctivochalasis.
Keywords: conjunctiva • conjunctivitis • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye