[Ligneous conjunctivitis].

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Hematology
• Genetics

Background:

• Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare, recurrent inflammatory condition of the conjunctiva.
• It is often associated with a deficiency in serum plasminogen, a key protein in the fibrinolytic system.
• This condition typically presents in childhood and can lead to significant ocular morbidity.

Observation:

• A 3-year-old female presented with recurrent conjunctivitis and characteristic membrane formation on the upper eyelid.
• Histopathological examination post-surgical removal confirmed ligneous conjunctivitis.
• Laboratory analysis revealed a manifest serum plasminogen deficiency of 22%.

Findings:

• The patient was treated with a combination of corticosteroids, heparin-containing eye drops, and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) eye drops.
• Surgical ablation was performed, with perioperative intravenous FFP administration.
• Local cyclosporine A eye drops were also administered, leading to a stable condition with low disease activity.

Implications:

• This case highlights a novel therapeutic strategy for ligneous conjunctivitis, combining medical and surgical interventions.
• The successful use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) eye drops and cyclosporine A represents a new treatment approach.
• This combined therapy, previously undescribed, offers a potential avenue for managing this rare and debilitating condition.