Abstract
Purpose :
To compare the histological difference between plica semilunalis and conjunctivochalasis in Patients with epiphora.
Methods :
The subjects of this study involved 82 patients (114 eyes) between january 2017 to October 2018 who had visit for epiphora. Out of 114 eyes, 68 underwent silicone tube insertion, 28 has be done dacryocystorhinostomy(DCR) and 18 underwent excision for conjuctivochalasis. The plica semilunalis was removed in patients undergoing silicon tube insertion and DCR. Tissue samples were histologically analyzed by the same inspector.
Results :
The comparison of the plica semilunalis and conjunctivochalasis tissue samples resulted in a common observation of the finding of the chronic inflammation(97%,87%) in both tissues. But in the plica semilunalis tissue, we found epithelial hyperplasia(73%), degeneration of subepthelium(54%), lymphoid hyperplasia(37) and fibrosis(17%). In a conjunctivochalasis tissue, elastotic degeneration(68%) and degeneration of submucosal tissue(34%) were observed.
Conclusions :
Frequently observed in the clinical field, plica semilunalis and conjctivocalasis are observed as a commonly extended tissue and cause symptoms of epiphora by physically obstructing the stream of tears.
However, while both organizations share common findings, plica semilunalis shows hyperplasia and conjucntivochalasis shows degeneration of connective tissue.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.