Papillary conjunctivitis induced by an epithelialized corneal foreign body.

This report of papillary conjunctivitis induced by a corneal foreign body suggests that papillogenesis may result from physical/mechanical tissue trauma. A case is presented with an epithelialized corneal foreign body in the peripheral cornea during a 9-month period. The overlying corneal epithelial surface was elevated, and corresponding upper tarsal conjunctiva revealed localized, elevated papillae. One month after the foreign body was excised, the papillae resolved. An epithelialized foreign body, elevated cornea, and coincidental papillae support the role of physical trauma for the development of papillae--a feature of the syndrome of contact-lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis.