What is conjunctival scarring?
Many conditions can cause the conjunctiva, the thin transparent membrane covering the white of the eye and the underside of the eyelids, to become scarred. These include injury, infection, allergy and autoimmune diseases, in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells or tissues. On a global scale, a major cause of conjunctival scarring and blindness is an infectious disease called trachoma, which is not common in the UK but affects many millions of people in North Africa and South Asia.
Scarring damages the conjunctiva and makes it less able to retain tears and protective mucus. Patients may have symptoms of dry eye, with grittiness, burning and, in severe cases, blurred vision.
How is conjunctival scarring managed?
They may be helped by artificial tear drops, eyelid surgery and transplantation of amniotic membrane (innermost layer of the placenta) on to the eye surface.
