Giant papillary conjunctivitis

Abstract

Despite shorter replacement intervals and new lens materials, giant papillary conjunctivitis still limits the ability of some patients to wear contact lenses. Recent research has elucidated many new mediators of inflammation. The presence of chemokines and cytokines such as IL-8, IL-6, IL-11, macrophage inflammatory protein-delta, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 macrophage-colony stimulating factor and monokine-induced gamma interferon, eotaxin, pulmonary and activation-regulated CC chemokines have been shown to be elevated in patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis. In addition, M cells and B lymphocytes have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of giant papillary conjunctivitis. The pathophysiology of giant papillary conjunctivitis is complicated with both immune and mechanical mechanisms playing a role in the development of this condition; understanding these mechanisms is important in both treatment and prevention of giant papillary conjunctivitis.