Cytological evaluation of conjunctival scrape smears in cases of conjunctivitis

The present study was conducted on 130 cases of untreated conjunctivitis and 25 control cases to assess the diagnostic value of cytology. Conjunctival scrapings from all cases were stained with Giemsa and Papanicoloau's stain and categorized cytologically and later correlated with the clinical profile. Normal cytologic profile was obtained in 7 cases (5.4%) of the study group and 14 cases (56%) of the control group. Cytologic diagnosis of trachoma was made in 63 cases (48.5%) including 48 out of 51 clinically diagnosed cases of trachoma, 9 cases of allergic conjunctivitis and 6 cases of acute follicular conjunctivitis, positive clinico cytologic correlation being 76.2%. Mucopurulent conjunctivitis was diagnosed in 24 cases (18.5%) both clinically as well as by cytological technique. Viral conjunctivitis was diagnosed in 24 cases (18.5%) including 19 cases (14.6%) of clinically diagnosed viral conjunctivitis and 5 cases (3.9%) of acute follicular conjunctivitis, positive correlation being 79.2%. Only 2 cases (1.5%) out of 15 clinically diagnosed cases of allergic conjunctivitis were confirmed cytologically. In all the 4 cases (3.1%) of spring catarrh and 6 cases (4.6%) of phlyctenular conjunctivitis the cytologic features were found to be consistent with the clinical diagnosis.