Conjunctival biopsy in sarcoidosis: A simple, safe, and specific diagnostic procedure

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and specificity of granulomatous conjunctivitis in sarcoidosis. One hundred conjunctival biopsies were performed on patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis (60), pulmonary tuberculosis (25), and several nonspecific inflammatory diseases of the lung and eye (15). A positive biopsy was present in 33% of the patients with sarcoidosis, but in none of the other disease processes. Great care was taken to exclude the possibility of these granulomas being secondary to foreign body reaction or infection with tuberculosis or fungi. No predictive relationship could be established between eye symptoms or slit lamp findings in the conjunctiva and uveal tract, and the finding of positive conjunctival biopsies. Thus, it is suggested that this procedure, due to its ease, safety, and specificity, be the first biopsy performed in patients with clinical or chest x-ray abnormalities suggesting sarcoidosis.