- Abnormalities of the Pupil
- Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis (AKC)
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (periocular)
- Blepharitis (Lid Margin Disease)
- CL-associated Papillary Conjunctivitis (CLAPC), Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
- Cellulitis, preseptal and orbital
- Chalazion (Meibomian cyst)
- Concretions
- Conjunctival pigmented lesions
- Conjunctival scarring
- Conjunctivitis (Acute Allergic)
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
- Conjunctivitis (viral, non-herpetic)
- Conjunctivitis (seasonal & perennial allergic)
- Conjunctivitis, Chlamydial
- Conjunctivitis medicamentosa (also Dermatoconjunctivitis medicamentosa)
- Corneal (or other superficial ocular) foreign body
- Corneal Transplant Rejection
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal hydrops
- Dacryocystitis (acute)
- Dacryocystitis (chronic)
- Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, KCS)
- Ectropion
- Endophthalmitis (post-operative) (Exogenous endophthalmitis)
- Entropion
- Episcleritis
- Facial palsy (Bell's Palsy)
- Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD)
- Glaucoma (chronic open angle) (COAG)
- Herpes Simplex Keratitis (HSK)
- Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO)
- Hordeolum
- Keratitis (marginal)
- Keratitis, CL-associated infiltrative
- Microbial keratitis (Acanthamoeba sp.)
- Microbial keratitis (bacterial, fungal)
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (nasolacrimal drainage dysfunction)
- Ocular hypertension (OHT)
- Ocular rosacea
- Ophthalmia neonatorum
- Photokeratitis (Ultraviolet [UV] burn, Arc eye, Snow Blindness)
- Phthiriasis (pediculosis ciliaris)
- Pigmented fundus lesions
- Pinguecula
- Post-operative suture breakage
- Primary Angle Closure / Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PAC / PACG)
- Pterygium
- Recurrent corneal epithelial erosion syndrome
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Scleritis
- Steroid-related Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma
- Sub-conjunctival haemorrhage
- Sub-tarsal foreign body (STFB)
- Trauma (blunt)
- Trauma (chemical)
- Trauma (penetrating)
- Trichiasis
- Uveitis (anterior)
- Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
- Vitreomacular Traction and Macular Hole
- How to use the Clinical Management Guidelines
CL-associated Papillary Conjunctivitis (CLAPC), Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
Contents
Aetiology
Contact Lens-associated Papillary Conjunctivitis (CLAPC) presents withhyperaemia and roughnessof the palpebral surface in response to contact lens wear. A similar response may also be seen with ocular prosthetics, exposed sutures,filtration blebs, and in floppy eyelid syndrome. Its multifactoral aetiology is not fully understood
Type I immediate hypersensitivity mediated by IgE
- Possible antigens:
- altered host protein on lens surface
- bacterial cell wall constituents
- other lens contaminants
- Reaction causes degranulation of mast cells
- Products of degranulation stimulate recruitment of basophils and eosinophils to conjunctival epithelium
Type IV delayed hypersensitivity mediated by T-cells
- Amplifies the inflammatory response
Trauma to the tarsal conjunctival surface releases chemotactic factors for a variety of inflammatory cells including eosinophils and neutrophils
Predisposing factors
Commoner in soft compared to rigid lenses
- occurs in silicone hydrogel, as well as hydrogel, lens wearers
Lens deposits
Thick or poorly designed or manufactured lens edges
Meibomian gland dysfunction
Atopy
Symptoms of contact lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis (CLAPC)
Itching and non-specific irritation
- may increase after lens removal (manipulation of lids mechanically stimulates mast cell degranulation)
Mucus discharge
Increased lens movement
Loss of lens tolerance
Decreasing comfort (may abandon wear)
Blurred vision
(NB: poor correlation of severity with symptoms and signs)
Signs of contact lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis (CLAPC)
Almost always bilateral
Upper tarsal conjunctiva (lower usually not affected)
- papillae
- macropapillae (diameter between 0.3 and 1 mm) or giant papillae (diameter > 1 mm)
- apices of papillae may stain with fluorescein when inflammation active
- apices may be whitish due to scarring in chronic cases
- hyperaemia
- stringy mucus in tear film and on conjunctival surfaces
- conjunctival oedema
Differential diagnosis
Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis, Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis, Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis, Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis
- contact lens history will aid diagnosis
Distinguish papillae from follicles:
Follicles:
- hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue
- generally seen in viral or chlamydial conditions
- smooth, pale, pink-to-yellow, elevated lesions
- surrounded by displaced vessels
Papillae:
- hyperplasia of epithelium
- usually more discrete and more red than follicles
- side walls of papillae appear perpendicular to tarsal plate
- contain vascular core visible at apex as vascular tuft
Management by optometrist
Practitioners should recognise their limitations and where necessary seek further advice or refer the patient elsewhere.
GRADE* Level of evidence and strength of recommendation always relates to the statement(s) immediately above
Non pharmacological
Removal of lens deposits
- replace soft lenses more frequently
- improve hygiene – more rigorous surfactant cleaning, more frequent enzyme use
- polish or replace rigid lenses
Reduce exposure time
- abandon extended wear
- reduce daily wearing time to minimum possible
- cease wear for a period in some cases
Optimise lens fit, material and wearing regime
- rigid lens: alter overall diameter (repositions lens edge relative to tarsus), reduce edge clearance and edge thickness
- soft lens: change material to one with improved deposit resistance, and/or lower modulus
- change to daily disposable soft lenses
Ocular prostheses
- polish, adjust or replace prosthesis
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low; Strength of recommendation=strong)
Pharmacological
Topical mast cell stabilisers (gutt. sodium cromoglicate 2% qds, gutt. lodoxamide 0.1%) can be used while lens wear continues but preserved drops should not be instilled with soft lenses in situ
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low; Strength of recommendation=strong)
Topical combined anti-histamine/mast cell stabilizer e.g. gutt. olopatadine 0.1%, gutt. ketotifen 0.025% (both off-licence use)
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low; Strength of recommendation=strong)
In cases that do not respond to other treatment, consider a six-week treatment period of a ‘non-penetrating’ topical steroid such as gutt. loteprednol 0.5% or gutt. fluorometholone 0.1% (both off-license use). Monitor IOP at beginning, at two weeks, and at end of treatment period (see Clinical Management Guideline on Glaucoma [Steroid]).
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=moderate; Strength of recommendation=strong)
Wherever preservative-free eye drops are available, these should be used when continuation of soft lens wear is deemed appropriate during the treatment period
Management category
B3: management to resolution
(normally no referral)
Possible management by ophthalmologist
A range of topical steroids in recalcitrant cases that do not respond to other treatment, especially where contact lens wear is medically indicated
Evidence base
*GRADE: Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (www.gradingworkinggroup.org)
Sources of evidence
Asbell P, Howes J. A double-masked, placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy and safety of loteprednol etabonate in the treatment of giant papillary conjunctivitis. CLAO J. 1997;23(1):31-6
Elhers WH, Donshik PC. Giant papillary conjunctivitis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;8:445-9
Friedlaender MH, Howes J. A double-masked, placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy and safety of loteprednol etabonate in the treatment of giant papillary conjunctivitis. The Loteprednol Etabonate Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis Study Group I. Am J Ophthalmol. 1997;123(4):455-64
Khurana S, Sharma N, Agarwal T, Chawla B, Velpandian T, Tandon R, Titiyal JS. Comparison of olopatadine and fluorometholone in contact lens-induced papillary conjunctivitis. Eye Contact Lens 2010;36:210-4
Kenny SE, Tye CB, Johnson DA, Kheirkhah A. Giant papillary conjunctivitis: A review. Ocul Surf. 2020;18(3):396-402
Matter M, Rahi AHS, Buckley RJ. Sodium cromoglycate in the treatment of contact lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis. Proc VII Congress of Europ Soc Ophthalmol, Helsinki 1985: 383-4
Meisler DM, Berzins UJ, Krachmer JH, Stock EL. Cromolyn treatment of giant papillary conjunctivitis. Arch Ophthalmol. 1982 Oct;100(10):1608-10
Summary
What is Contact lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis?
Contact lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis (CLAPC) is an inflammatory condition affecting the transparent membrane which lines the back of the upper eyelid (tarsal conjunctiva). It can occur in people wearing soft or rigid contact lenses or an ocular prosthesis (artificial eye). People suffering from this condition experience eye irritation, which may lead them to abandon contact lens wear. The eyes are often red and the underside of the upper lid shows minute cobblestone-like swellings called papillae.
How is Contact lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis managed?
Treatment for CLAPC initially consists of improving contact lens hygiene and replacing lenses more frequently. Eye drops such as anti-histamines or mast cell stabilisers are often required to relieve symptoms and improve clinical signs. In more severe cases it may be necessary to use steroid eye drops for short periods.
CL-associated Papillary Conjunctivitis (CLAPC)
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
Version 9
Date of search 15.06.21
Date of revision 27.08.21
Date of publication 05.04.22
Date for review 14.06.23
© College of Optometrists
- Abnormalities of the Pupil
- Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis (AKC)
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (periocular)
- Blepharitis (Lid Margin Disease)
- CL-associated Papillary Conjunctivitis (CLAPC), Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
- Cellulitis, preseptal and orbital
- Chalazion (Meibomian cyst)
- Concretions
- Conjunctival pigmented lesions
- Conjunctival scarring
- Conjunctivitis (Acute Allergic)
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
- Conjunctivitis (viral, non-herpetic)
- Conjunctivitis (seasonal & perennial allergic)
- Conjunctivitis, Chlamydial
- Conjunctivitis medicamentosa (also Dermatoconjunctivitis medicamentosa)
- Corneal (or other superficial ocular) foreign body
- Corneal Transplant Rejection
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal hydrops
- Dacryocystitis (acute)
- Dacryocystitis (chronic)
- Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, KCS)
- Ectropion
- Endophthalmitis (post-operative) (Exogenous endophthalmitis)
- Entropion
- Episcleritis
- Facial palsy (Bell's Palsy)
- Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD)
- Glaucoma (chronic open angle) (COAG)
- Herpes Simplex Keratitis (HSK)
- Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO)
- Hordeolum
- Keratitis (marginal)
- Keratitis, CL-associated infiltrative
- Microbial keratitis (Acanthamoeba sp.)
- Microbial keratitis (bacterial, fungal)
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (nasolacrimal drainage dysfunction)
- Ocular hypertension (OHT)
- Ocular rosacea
- Ophthalmia neonatorum
- Photokeratitis (Ultraviolet [UV] burn, Arc eye, Snow Blindness)
- Phthiriasis (pediculosis ciliaris)
- Pigmented fundus lesions
- Pinguecula
- Post-operative suture breakage
- Primary Angle Closure / Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PAC / PACG)
- Pterygium
- Recurrent corneal epithelial erosion syndrome
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Scleritis
- Steroid-related Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma
- Sub-conjunctival haemorrhage
- Sub-tarsal foreign body (STFB)
- Trauma (blunt)
- Trauma (chemical)
- Trauma (penetrating)
- Trichiasis
- Uveitis (anterior)
- Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
- Vitreomacular Traction and Macular Hole
- How to use the Clinical Management Guidelines
Sign in to continue
Not already a member of The College?
Start enjoying the benefits of College membership today. Take a look at what the College can offer you and view our membership categories and rates.