Conjunctival sarcoidosis presenting as limbal conjunctival hypertrophy: a case report

INTRODUCTION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of conjunctival sarcoidosis that presented as limbal conjunctival hypertrophy and was controlled with topical cyclosporine. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old Asian woman presented with painless limbal conjunctival hypertrophy. An incisional biopsy of the hypertrophic lesion showed noncaseating granulomas that consisted of multinucleated giant cells and epithelioid cells. The results of a systemic evaluation were normal except for a slight increase in serum angiotensin-converting enzyme to 58.9IU/L (normal range, 8 to 55IU/L). Twice-daily 0.05% topical cyclosporine was prescribed for the treatment of remaining lesions. After two months, the lesions had completely resolved and her serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level had normalized. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of conjunctival hypertrophy. Topical cyclosporine can be useful in conjunctival sarcoidosis.