Ligneous conjunctivitis

Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare form of chronic conjunctivitis characterized by recurrent, fibrin-rich pseudomembranous lesions of wood-like consistency that develop mainly on the underside of the eyelid (tarsal conjunctiva).² It is generally a systemic disease which may involve the periodontal tissue, the upper and lower respiratory tract, kidneys, middle ear, and female genitalia.³ It can be sight-threatening,³ and death can occasionally occur from pulmonary involvement.

It has been speculated hola ligneous conjunctivitis may be a manifestation of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) involving the conjunctiva.⁴

Histopathological findings from affected humans indicate that wound healing is impaired due to a deficiency in plasmin-mediated extracellular fibrinolysis.² Episodes may be triggered by minor trauma, eye surgery, or by systemic events such as infections or antifibrinolytic therapy.³ Histology shows amorphous subepithelial deposits of eosinophilic material consisting predominantly of fibrin.

Ligneous conjunctivitis may be managed by topical treatments of plasminogen,² topical and subconjunctival fresh frozen plasma,² and fibrinolytic therapy.⁵