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.

Topical interferon alpha 2 beta therapy in the management of conjunctival papilloma.

Falco LA, Gruosso PJ, Skolnick K, Bejar L

College of Optometry, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328, USA. lfalco@nova.edu

BACKGROUND: This article describes the differential diagnosis of conjunctival papillomas and reviews the treatment options with a focus on the new topical interferon alpha 2 beta therapy. CASE: A 45-year-old white man presented with a red right eye of approximately 6 months' duration. The lesion was suspicious and suggestive of malignancy; therefore, the patient was referred for consultation. The lesion was diagnosed as a conjunctival papilloma. The patient was placed on topical interferon alpha 2 beta eye drops, and within 2 weeks he experienced complete lesion regression. CONCLUSION: Interferons, in particular interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha2beta), have recently been shown to be successful in treating conjunctival papillomas and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Previously, treatment was limited to observation for asymptomatic patients. Larger lesions in symptomatic patients were treated by surgical excision and cryotherapy. Additional treatment modalities included topical antimetabolite treatment with mitomycin-C and 5-fluorouracil. These treatments, although effective, had significant attendant postsurgical complications and toxic ocular adverse reactions. Interferons represent a new successful treatment modality.

Published 2 April 2007 in Optometry, 78(4): 162-6.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Optometry Research Today. All Rights Reserved.