Optometry Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Optometry, including details on myopia, optometric practice, therapy.

Subconjunctival cyst-like formations following impression cytology.

Srinivasan S, Joyce E, Jones LW, Senchyna M

Centre for Contact Lens Research, School of Optometry, University of Waterloo, 200, University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ont., Canada N2L 3G1. s2sriniv@uwaterloo.ca

PURPOSE: To report a case of an unusual adverse event subsequent to undertaking Conjunctival Impression Cytology (CIC). METHODS: CIC was undertaken on a 54-year-old healthy Caucasian female, using a 10 mm Millipore membrane on the bulbar conjunctiva. Prior to the CIC procedure, two drops of topical proparacaine (Alcaine were instilled and following the procedure two drops of artificial tears (GenTeal were administered. RESULTS: The subject reported excessive bulbar conjunctival hyperaemia in the left eye 5 min postprocedure, with no marked pain or discomfort. Slitlamp biomicroscopic evaluation revealed several "bubbles" or cystic formations trapped underneath the conjunctival tissue, in association with moderate to severe bulbar conjunctival redness. These cysts began to regress fairly rapidly and completely disappeared within 1h. CONCLUSION: CIC is a useful tool for studying the ocular surface; however, care should be taken while performing this mildly invasive procedure. This is the first report of bubble formation in the conjunctiva following CIC. Subjects should be advised about the short term redness and discomfort that could occur following CIC.

Published 7 December 2005 in Cont Lens Anterior Eye, 28(4): 181-4.
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