Tear eotaxin levels in giant papillary conjunctivitis associated with ocular prosthesis

Purpose: To examine the role of eotaxin and eosinophil recruitment in the immunopathogenesis of ocular prosthesis-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC). Methods: The tear eotaxin level was measured in 68 eyes with GPC, the fellow eyes of the GPC patients, and 22 normal subjects, using an ELISA method. Upper tarsal conjunctival specimens harvested from 18 patients with GPC were examined by light microscopy. Results: There was no significant difference in tear eotaxin levels between patients with GPC and healthy subjects. In patients with chronic GPC, the tear eotaxin levels were significantly lower. These eyes also had decreased conjunctival cellularity and increased fibrosis in the substantia propria. Biopsy specimens showed infiltration of lymphocytes and mast cells, but no eosinophils were found. Conclusion: Eotaxin and eotaxin-mediated eosinophil recruitment do not seem to have a major role in the immunopathology of chronic GPC associated with an ocular prosthesis.