Association of giant papillary conjunctivitis with seasonal allergies

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is largely a soft contact lens-related syndrome, characterized by the formation of giant papillae on the upper tarsal conjunctiva, itching, excess mucus, erythema, and contact lens intolerance. In response to the suggestion that GPC occurs more frequently in atopic individuals, a retrospective study was designed in order to determine the months in which patients were diagnosed with GPC during 1987 and 1988. Personal histories of allergy were also recorded for these patients, and compared to an age- and sex-matched control group. Significant peaks in the number of patients diagnosed with GPC occurred in the spring, and especially in late summer/early fall of both years. In addition, the GPC patients reported significantly more overall allergies than did the control group. However, a breakdown of the individual allergy data revealed that only allergies to contact lens solutions, specifically thimerosal, were significantly higher in the GPC group. Reported allergies to medications and pollen were also elevated in the GPC patients, but not significantly. The seasonal onset of GPC diagnoses in 1987 and 1988, and the increase in reported allergies within the GPC group, suggests a strong association between atopy and the development of GPC.