The conjunctiva is a thin, clear layer of tissue that covers the white portion of the eye as well as the inside of the upper and lower eyelids. Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a hyper (increased) allergic response of the conjunctival tissue that lines the inside of the upper eyelid. This type of inflammation generally involves a low-grade immune reaction to contact lens wear. It may also occur with patients who have artificial eyes or in patients with sutures still present as a result of surgery.
GPC tends to be chronic in nature and may require treatment over a long period of time. If contact lenses are the cause, it usually requires significant changes in contact lens wear. These changes may include a reduction or discontinuation of wear, a lens material change and a change in lens cleaning habits. GPC will cause contact lens discomfort, excessive movement of lenses and the development of filmy coatings on the surface of the contact lens. These coatings are from mucus produced in the overactive cells present in the clear conjunctival tissue.
As a caution be sure that you do not resume contact lens wear or discontinue any prescribed treatments for GPC unless you are instructed to do so. Patients who resume contact lens wear too soon run the risk of inflaming this tissue to its original intensity within a very short period of time.
