Lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis: clinical findings from 21 eyes in 13 cats

The clinical and, where available, histologic features of lesions fitting a previous description of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis were reviewed retrospectively from a series of cats. ANIMALS STUDIES: Thirteen cats (21 eyes) with lesions consistent with a diagnosis of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis were seen over a 4-year period in a referral practice in southern Australia. Affected cats ranged in age from 6 to 16 years (mean 11.2 +/- 3.6 years).

Twelve cats were domestic shorthair or longhair cats and one was a British shorthair cat. Five cats were white, four were bicolor, two were orange tabby and two were dilute orange tabby. Lesions were always found in the palpebral conjunctiva, adjacent to the eyelid margin. They affected upper eyelids only in five cases, and upper plus lower eyelids in eight cases. Lesions were bilateral in eight cases. Lesions were excised in eight cases, with resolution of associated irritation and no signs of lesion recurrence during a 4- to 21-month follow-up period.

Histologic features of tissues excised from surgically treated cases were consistent with a previous report of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis and with descriptions of chalazia. A possible role of actinic radiation in the etiopathogenesis of lesions is discussed.