ALLERGIC GRANULOMA OF THE CONJUNCTIVA (SP LENDORE-HOEPPLI-PHENOMENON)

A 35-year-old woman from Georgia presented with multiple bilateral yel low nodules of the upper bulbar conjunctiva, accompanied by a severe i njection of conjunctival vessels. The histologic examination of excisi onal biopsies showed the characteristic morphology of the Splendore-Ho eppli-phenomenon, which describes granulomas with a necrotized eosinop hilic center, surrounded by a ring of epitheloid cells, giant cells an d eosinophils. Although nematodes could be identified in only a few le sions, they should always be kept in mind as the causing agent of this condition. No cause of the lesions was found in our patient. The nodu les may regress spontaneously. Topical application of corticosteroid e ye drops, however, may give relief of symptoms, and sometimes excision of the granulomas will be necessary.