Value of conjunctival biopsy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis

Purpose: Retrospective study concerning the value of conjunctival biopsy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Patients and methods: Between 1990 and 1996 we performed conjunctival biops y in 11 patients (mean age 42.7 +/- 16.4 years) with suspect of sarcoidosis . Results: In 8 of the 11 patients the diagnosis of sarcoidosis was establish ed during the clinical course. In four of these eight patients conjunctival biopsy was positive. Five of the eight were under systemic steroids at the time of biopsy. Of the four patients with clinically established sarcoidos is and negative biopsy, three were under systemic steroids at the time of b iopsy. In two patients diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established primarily b y conjunctival biopsy. Conclusion: Conjunctival biopsy is a simple tool in the diagnostic of sarco idosis. If possible, biopsy should be undertaken before systemic steroid tr eatment. We consider conjunctival biopsy to be useful as the first diagnost ic tool before other invasive methods.