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
