A rare case of chronic papillary conjunctivitis diagnosed after several years of evolution. Clinical and pathological findings

A man with a 2.5 year history of chronic papillary conjunctivitis was diagnosed as having "floppy eyelid syndrome". This syndrome, first described in 1981, is characterized by loose upper eyelids that evert readily on elevation of the lid, a chronic papillary conjunctivitis and a soft rubbery tarsus. The condition is resistant to any form of medical treatment but responds well to a horizontal lid shortening procedure. The etiology is unknown but the present report suggests that an abnormality of the structure of the orbicularis muscle may play a role.