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Ligneous conjunctivitis

Evidence: Unconfirmed

Names

Adult Onset Ligneous conjunctivitis
Ligneous conjunctivitis
Autoimmune ligneous conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis lignose

Description

Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare, chronic form of conjunctivitis that starts in adulthood. A genetically caused form of the disease can occur in childhood, but these cases are not autoimmune. Patients with ligneous conjunctivitis have large, inflamed, woody growths on the inside of the eyelid and potentially whites of the eye. These growths may also occur in the mouth, ears, respiratory tract, and genitourinary tract. The inflamed growths are likely to come back after they have been removed.  If untreated ligneous conjunctivitis can lead to vision loss and sometimes life-threatening pulmonary complications.   

Patient Groups

None found.

Bloggers

None found.

Prevalence

Prevalence of autoimmune ligneous conjunctivitis is unknown, but the autoimmune form of the disease is very rare (most cases of ligneous conjunctivitis are genetic, not autoimmune).

Typical Age of onset

The autoimmune form of the disease starts in adult patients. Patients born with ligneous conjunctivitis have a genetic form of the disease.

Symptoms

  • Watery eyes

  • Eye redness

  • Sensitivity to light

  • White or red masses under eyelid

  • Eye discomfort

  • Eye lesions

  • Inflamed gums

  • Enlarged gums

  • Hearing loss

  • Loss of teeth

  • Chest infections

  • Life-threatening airway obstructions

  • Change in voice

  • Urogenital tract infections