Treatment of ligneous conjunctivitis with heterologous serum

Abstract

Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare form of chronic and recurrent bilateral conjunctivitis, in which thick membranes develop on the tarsal conjunctiva and on other mucosae. We report the case of a 55-year old female patient with bilateral ligneous conjunctivitis who was successfully treated with 50% heterologous serum. There was no recurrence or side effects after one-year follow-up. We suggest the use of 50% heterologous serum should be further studied to better determine its efficacy as a treatment option for ligneous conjunctivitis.

Delayed-onset ligneous conjunctivitis as a rare association with congenital hydrocephalous: a case report and review of the literature

“…9 On the other hand, local medication and topical treatment with intensive topical heparin, FFP, corticosteroida eye drops, alpha-chymotrypsin, hyaluronidase, and cyclosporine A 2% have been recommended. 5,7,[10][11][12] Hyaluronidase alone or in combination with alpha-chymotrypsin is useful for the enzymatic digestion of the mucopolysaccharides that exist on the pseudomembranes. Also, topical corticosteroids and cyclosporine A 2% may reduce the recurrence of pseudomembranes after surgical excision.…”

“…Heparin stimulates the activity of antithrombin III, which inhibits thrombin formation, blocks the change of fibrinogen to fibrin, also prevents the transformation of thrombin into prothrombin. 10 Topical plasminogen drops and intravenous infusions of plasminogen are now available in some parts of the world and should be considered, if available.…”