An immunological study of papillary conjunctivitis due to contact lenses

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Serum and tear levels of IgE were compared in patients with contact lens papillary conjunctivitis (CLPC), vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VC), healthy contact lens wearers (CLW) and healthy controls without lenses. The mean of serum IgE was elevated only in the VC group. Tear IgE levels were significantly higher for CLPC and VC than for CLW and healthy controls. Tear IgG levels were also increased in CLPC patients. With serum albumin (HSA) as a marker for leakage of proteins from the circulation to the tear fluid, tear IgG was found to be blood-borne whereas tear IgE was essentially a product of local synthesis. In 1 of the 10 CLPC patients, high titers of IgE type antibodies to housedust mites and cat epithelium were demonstrated in both serum and tears. CLPC is usually an IgE mediated reaction to the lens material or to contamination of allergenic material that sticks to the lenses.