Surgical resection of giant papillae and autologous conjunctival graft in patients with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis and giant papillae.

PURPOSE: Giant papillae (GP) in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) refractory to clinical treatment may cause serious corneal complications, such as shield ulcer. We propose a surgical treatment--resection of GP--in conjunction with free autologous conjunctival graft to treat severe cases of VKC with GP.

METHODS

Six eyes of five patients with VKC, characterized by GP and shield ulcer refractory to clinical treatment, underwent surgical resection of GP associated with free autologous conjunctival graft.

RESULTS

No recurrence of GP over the graft was observed during follow-up intervals ranging from 9 months to 27 months. Corneal shield ulcers healed during the first week after treatment and did not recur.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with refractory VKC and GP associated with corneal shield ulcer may benefit from resection of GP and autologous conjunctival graft.